The Houston Rockets are back into a volatile season due to a tight Western conference this year. Although the team is aching for a play-in spot, they have some of the best young talents in the league after the OKC Thunder. Well, the two teams matched up today, and Shaquille O’Neal was focused on a 21-year-old star of the Rockets franchise when the game entered halftime.

The Los Angeles Lakers legend did not hesitate to put the Turkish youngster in the same conversation as 2x NBA champion Pau Gasol. Notably, Gasol helped Kobe Bryant win 1 more ring than his 3-peat teammate, O’Neal. But Shaq is not feeling petty. Instead, he thought of Gasol to reflect on what he wants for Alperen Sengun in the future.

Sengun had registered 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists at the half, despite trailing by 10 points to the OKC Thunder. However, all of this came in just 19 minutes and Shaq was impressed by it. The Big Aristotle shared on TNT, “He[Sengun] reminds me of a young Pau Gasol…I really like this guy.”

Clearly, Shaq was comparing Gasol’s time with the Memphis Grizzlies during his initial years. O’Neal would add that he hopes that Sengun, like Gasol, can soon move to a winning situation where his impact can truly shine. “I would like to see him on a better team. If he was on like LA, or you know like a team that has a lot of talent around them, they would definitely do well,” explained the 4x NBA champion.

Gasol had a similar experience to Sengun for seven straight years. Although the Spaniard took Memphis to the playoffs thrice, they did not get past the first round even once. In his last two years with the Grizzlies, Gasol averaged nearly 20 points and they still couldn’t make it to the postseason.

Read more: Alperen Sengun Could Join Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard in Rare Testament to Greatness

Coming back to Sengun, the Turkish sensation is averaging 21 points this season with 9.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. However, his Rockets are the 12th seed and mostly out of playoff contention with a 112-95 loss against OKC today. Thankfully, the team’s woes have not stopped Shaq from becoming a believer in ‘Baby Jokic’.

Shaquille O’Neal thinks that Alperen Sengun can be the next Nikola Jokic

Shaq chose Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trae Young, and Victor Wembanyama as starters for his young team. Well, he also wanted Sengun to come off the bench. Most stars have left the Rockets center hanging behind when it comes to choosing a potential superstar. But not the Big Diesel. In fact, he hinted that Sengun could be the next Nikola Jokic. 

Rockets coach Ime Udoka said, “Alperen Sengun is like a mini Jokic out there” and the Lakers legend shared this on his Instagram story. On most occasions, especially in crunch time, Sengun has regulated crucial play, just like how the ‘Joker’ does for the Denver Nuggets. In his third season, the Turkish center is already making a case for being better than Jokic was at his age. 

Oh, and let’s not forget the crooked way in which they run towards the basket. Maybe Shaquille O’Neal is right with this prediction, but we would like to know what you think about Sengun’s potential. Share your take in the comments below. 

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