Introduction
Nikola Jokic isn’t just playing basketball; he’s rewriting it. The Denver Nuggets star has turned the center position into something unrecognizable. Passing like a guard. Scoring when needed. Controlling tempo without breaking a sweat brings us to Nikola Jokic vs. Alperen Sengun.
And then there’s Alperen Sengun. Houston’s young star. Talented. Creative. Hungry. He’s been labeled “Baby Jokic” since his rookie year. A nickname that flatters. A nickname that pressures. The question is simple: can Sengun ever live up to it?
Coach’s Take: Same Conversation, Different Players
Sengun’s former coach, Dorde Sijan, didn’t hold back when asked about the comparisons.
“Jokic changed the game like Curry did for guards,” Sijan said. “But Sengun never tried to copy him. They’re different players. Nikola set the standards. Sengun is writing his own story.”
The one missing piece? The three-point shot. Sijan compared the game to a cake. Sengun’s cake? Missing a slice. Jokic may not be fast, but he reads and reacts at lightning speed. Sengun has to close that gap.
Offseason Focus: Adding That Slice
Here’s the good news: Sengun knows what he’s missing. This offseason, his work has been all about range. Shooting threes. Stretching the floor. Evolving. “The three-point shot was forbidden before,” Sijan revealed. “Now it’s expected. The NBA wants bigs who can stretch.”
Nikola Jokic vs. Alperen Sengun: Jokic Owns the Matchup
Ten games. Jokic leads the duel 6-4. Statistically? No contest. Jokic averages 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. Sengun sits at 16.9, 7.9, and 5. Solid. Respectable. But not dominant. In eight of those meetings, Jokic outscored and outrebounded him. The master still owns the student.
The Future: Youth on Sengun’s Side
But here’s the twist: Jokic is 30. Sengun? Just 23. Seven years of growth. Seven years to polish. Seven years to rise. Time is on Sengun’s side, and development could push him from “Baby Jokic” to something even scarier, his version of greatness.
Conclusion
Right now, Nikola Jokic is the standard. The MVP. The Finals king. The best big man in basketball. Alperen Sengun isn’t there yet. But the pieces are coming together. If his three-point shot lands, the “Baby Jokic” label won’t be a comparison; it’ll be a warning for the entire NBA.
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