Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets narrowly lost the battle in Tuesday’s close loss at Dallas, but the third-year center clearly earned respect from an all-time Mavericks and NBA legend.
Dirk Nowitzki, now in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has become something of a comparison for Sengun in recent weeks after the 21-year-old developed a fadeaway jump shot off one leg that reminds many of the Dallas legend’s iconic move.
At Tuesday’s game, in which Sengun finished with a team-high 31 points and 9 rebounds, Nowitzki spoke about his play with Vanessa Richardson of Houston’s Space City Home Network.
It looks pretty good [the one-legged fadeaway shot]. Obviously, it’s a work in progress.
But I’m really impressed by his game, honestly. The versatility, the passing, the scoring… he’s having an incredible season. I’m happy for him. I’ve never really met him, but he seems like a good dude, every time I hear something from him. So, I’m really happy for him, and hopefully he can keep it up.
You want to get better from year to year. You want to go home in the offseason, work hard, add some stuff to your game… especially when you’re young, and come back a more complete player. That’s what he’s been doing with the year-to-year improvement, so I’m looking forward to him having an impact season.
Nowitzki, who won the 2010-11 championship with Dallas, is known as one of the best European big men in NBA history. To say the least, it’s a career arc that Sengun would love to emulate.
Richardson’s full interview with Nowitzki — who also had kind words for Houston’s growth as a team — can be viewed below.
“They made some key improvement with veteran players,” Nowitzki said of the 2023-24 Rockets to date. “That always helps. Of course, they need to improve on the road [0-7 record] a little bit, but they’re super tough at home [8-1]. So, after a couple disappointing years, they’re having a great season. Hopefully, they can keep it up.”
Truly appreciate the legend Dirk Nowitzki taking the time to chat with me briefly during pregame about Alperen Sengun’s development!
Thank you @swish41 🏀 @alperennsengun @HoustonRockets @SpaceCityHN pic.twitter.com/rKttwXJDJ7
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) November 30, 2023
