(Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets just gave everyone the blueprint for the modern-day big man.
Nikola Jokic is a one-of-a-kind player who’s not going to be easy to replicate, but everyone will try.
Notably, the Houston Rockets might have the closest thing to him in Alperen Sengun.
And while Sengun is obviously still a ways away from reaching Jokic’s level — if ever — the Serbian big man had plenty of praise for his Turkish colleague after their matchup.
Following the win, Jokic said that it’s a good thing that the Rockets are playing through him more this season, adding that he’s an unselfish player who wants to make his teammates better (via Jackson Gatlin).
Nikola Jokic on Alperen Sengun’s play:
“I think it is a good thing that they are playing a little bit more through him. I think that is going to benefit the whole organization. He is a guy who is not selfish. He wants to play for the team and he wants to pass. The whole team is… pic.twitter.com/zRPsdULAOP
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 13, 2023
Sengun is an outstanding passer, especially for a big man.
He’s a nightly triple-double threat, and while his offensive game is still being polished, he seems to have a bright future in this league.
Even if he never turns the corner and breaks out, him being a ‘poor man’s Jokic’ works out just fine for Ime Udoka’s team.
He can score from all three levels, put the ball on the floor like a guard, and create for others as well.
The Rockets thought that young guard Jalen Green would be their best young player, but plans can change very quickly in this league, and they now have to make sure to build their project and their team around their big man.
He already has Nikola Jokic’s seal of approval, and that’s something not many players in today’s game can brag about.
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