Clippers Star Paul George Bills Rockets Big Man Alperen Sengun 'Baby Joker'
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun brought his game to another level as a second-year pro, and Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Paul George praised him for it:
George praised Sengun on the Podcast P Show, saying, 'He’s gonna be like the baby Joker [Nikola Jokic],' and 'He’s a super High IQ Player. I love his game. He can do it all.'
Sengun has become a five-tool player in the NBA. He averaged 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists along with 0.9 steals and blocks in the 2022-23 regular season. Additionally, he shot 55.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from distance.
Sengun has dazzled with impressive footwork and crafty passes, getting his teammates involved as a secondary facilitator at the center position for the Rockets.
In comparison, Jokic averaged 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists with 0.8 steals and blocks per game in his sophomore season with the Denver Nuggets, showing that the comparison is fair.
George also drew comparisons between Sengun and the Gasol brothers. Both Pau and his younger brother Marc Gasol were big men that thrived in the post, were automatic from 15 feet at the elbow, and created a new standard for passing big men in the NBA.
Having entered the league in 2010-11, George had the fortune of playing against all three players. He faced the elder Gasol fresh off of the Los Angeles Lakers' 2010 championship the following year and got to square off against the younger Gasol at the peak of his prime. Also, George was eliminated by Jokic in the 2020 Western Conference Semifinals after the Denver Nuggets stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series.
Sengun must win in his future in order to join the Hall of Fame caliber that all three players carry. But he is on the right track, which is good news for Houston.
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