Paul George compares Rockets' Alperen Sengun to NBA legend

As the old saying goes, game recognizes game. This holds true regardless of a team's record or success. And it especially holds true in the NBA, where players notice talent irrespective of position, minutes, politics, or statlines.

Houston Rockets big man Alperen Sengun has drawn praise from several opposing players around the league, ranging from Boston Celtics guard Derrick White to Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic. The latest to join the Sengun praise is LA Clippers forward Paul George, who has seen a thing or two during his 13 years in the NBA.

George was discussing Sengun on his Podcast P with Paul George, presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment podcast and couldn't stop gushing about the second-year center. 

Paul George compares Rockets' Alperen Sengun to NBA legend

"I'd say the greatest part of his game is....his playmaking. At that size, at that position...his playmaking. I mean I've seen some flashiness where he [pretends to throw a behind-the-back pass]...on some Magic Johnson type of sh-t.

He can really hoop. He's got a good touch, a good feel. He's got playmaking, great vision. He's gonna be the baby Joker.

I think he has the full, complete package at the center position."

George didn't stop there, as he continued to shower praise on Sengun.

"He's got shades of Marc Gasol, he's got shades of Pau Gasol. He's got shades of Jokic.

He's got shades of like the great bigs that can pass, that can shoot, that can playmake. He's a super, super high IQ player. I love his game."

Although Sengun started the season as a reserve, he finished the year with averages of 14.8 points, 9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 55.3 percent from the field. What's more impressive is the fact that the Turkish big man ranked 11th in the league in triple-doubles, continuing to prove that he was a steal with the 16th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

As for George, this wasn't his first time giving his flowers to a member of the Rockets, as George had previously showered Rockets star guard Jalen Green with praise also on his same podcast earlier in the season.

"Another under 20-25 guy. You look at Jalen Green. How explosive, how athletic he is. His skillset. Like he can do it all. He can do it all."

With Green (21-years-old) and Sengun (20-years-old) both in the fold for Houston, brighter days lie ahead, and especially depending on what happens with the coaching situation. But irrespective of who the Rockets hire, it's safe to say that PG-13 will be tuned in.