Motivation can work wonders for a youngster. And when it comes from one of the finest the sport has to offer? You can guess its effect. In the NBA, there have been numerous instances where just a pat on the back from legends took the pressure off rookies. A similar incident took place when the Los Angeles Clippers faced the  Houston Rockets for an In-season match on 18th November.

Ten-time All-Star and a fresh face to the Clippers squad, James Harden, exchanged words with the 21-year-old Alperen Sengun. Needless to say, the Rockets center has been elated since. What did Harden say to Sengun?

James Harden was all praise for Alperen Sengun

In an edition of ‘Podcast P with Paul George’, Sengun opened up about what happened during their face-off against the Clippers. At one point in the match, Sengun found himself on the line with Harden. The Beard then told him something, which was unclear to the Turk at that point. When asked to repeat his words, Harden said, “I’m so proud of you,” and asked Sengun to keep it up.

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Sengun, in response, said, “It’s great to hear from you, thank you man.” This indeed was a great initiative from rather controversial and widely misunderstood Harden. Just a small gesture that made the day for the Turkish youngster, who put up a show against the star-studded Clippers side. Sengun did not forget to acknowledge how moments like these have been special for him growing up.

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He mentioned how it was also a dream for him, like many kids, to come to Paul George‘s show. He said, “Everything is that big huge dream for me.” PG13 added, “That’s the beauty of the NBA man, we appreciate the young guys coming up.” Harden’s current teammate also tells Sengun that by this gesture, Harden seemingly passed the torch of the Houston Rockets to Sengun. Not to forget, Harden was a part of Rockets for nine long years, from 2012 to 2021.

Alperen Sengun and James Harden head-to-head

Alperen Sengun has met his team’s former talisman on four occasions in the NBA so far. In two games, Harden’s side emerged victorious, and in the other two, Sengun took the win. In their last match, Harden scored 24 points, with 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. Sengun, on the other hand, scored 23, with 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Harden surpasses Sengun by a huge margin by average points scored in games played between them though. James scored 24.5 points in average, while Sengun has an average of 12.3 only. Be that as it may, it was surely a nice gesture from the Beard to the young Turk.

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