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'I'm Still Young': Rockets' Sengun Says 'Baby Jokic' Name Doesn't Bother Him

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Rockets
By Jonah Morgan | Last updated 1/28/24

Alperen Sengun has really stepped up for the Houston Rockets this season, as the big man is averaging career-highs in almost every single stat.

As a result of his great play, more eyes have been on the Turkish big man. Because of his unique style of play, people have been calling him "baby Jokić", as the only player whose game is similar to Sengun's is the two-time MVP. And for right now, the comparison does not bother the Rockets big man, as he talked more about it with JJ Redick on The Old Man and the Three podcast.

"No, it doesn't bother me for now," Sengun said. "I'm still young! But after some point, yeah... They mean that my game is similar to him... But when I grow up, I don't want to hear that."

Sengun takes no offense to the comparison right now, but his goal is to make his own name, and not forever be known as a mini–Nikola Jokić. He wants to start trying to do this by going into matchups with the top centers in the NBA with a specific mindset.

"Of course, it's always exciting playing against these big players," Sengun said. "But now when I go to the court, instead of thinking about how I am going to guard them, now I'm thinking about how they are going to guard me."

He is certainly making a name for himself this year, as he is in prime position to make the Western Conference All-Star team right alongside Jokić. That is a big step for the Turkish big man is to be on the same stage as the former two-time MVP and be seen as equal to him.

Sengun and the rest of the Rockets will be back in action on Monday against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in the Toyota Center.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Rockets and was syndicated with permission.

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