'It was Embarrassing!': Paul George on Getting Fooled by Houston Rockets Center Alperen Şengün's Spin
The Houston Rockets lost their game against the Los Angeles Clippers, but that does not mean that the contest was without its positives for the team.
Rockets' big man Alperen Şengün appeared on Podcast P with Paul George and talked about one of the highlights from their matchup. Early in the third quarter, Şengün hit George with a shimmy towards the baseline and spun back toward the paint. The play resulted in a turnover for the Rockets, but it left an impression on George.
"I got crossed on the shimmy, and I fouled you too. It was embarrassing," George told Şengün. "You hit me that first time, I jumped hard left, because I thought you were really going baseline. Then the second time I was like, 'I'm expecting it this time', and then you hit me with it again!"
Şengün finished the game with 23 points and eight rebounds, but the Rockets ended up with the 106-100 loss as a result of some late heroics from James Harden. Şengün told George that his spin move has always been one of his favorites to do in-game.
Rockets center Alperen Sengun warms up before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
"When I was in Turkey, that was always my signature move," Şengün said. "I was playing on-on-one with one of my teammates, and I spun baseline so quick, and then he said, 'that was f***** fast!'"
Şengün's baseline spin has always been lethal, and that is exactly what George, and the rest of the Clippers were expecting Şengün to do, but he is so good at innovating that he was able to fool everyone.
"You think I'm going to go baseline because all you guys know, James Harden is calling 'baseline, baseline, baseline'," Şengün said. "I knew that you were going to close the baseline. Then when I feel you behind me, I said, 'let me do this', and I got you."
Şengün will look to continue to bring that improvisation and creativity on the offensive side of the ball when he and the Rockets are back in action on Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. from the American Airlines Center.
