If there is one person who can attest to the similarities Alperen Şengün shares with Nikola Jokić, it's Houston Rockets veteran Jeff Green. He spent two seasons with the Denver Nuggets and played a vital role in helping the franchise win their first NBA championship in June.
As a former teammate of Jokić, Şengün has picked Green's mind with questions about the two-time league MVP. But while sharing information, Green has encouraged Şengün to be better than Jokić instead of becoming a carbon copy.
"There are comparisons," Green said. "They are both talented guys who can do a lot of things on the floor with their size. But my message to Alpi is, 'don't try and be Joker.' If so, 'be better than him.'"
The message shared with Şengün is the motto that has helped Green establish long-term success in the league.
During his early days playing for the then-Seattle Supersonics, Green looked up to Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James. He received advice from each of his favorite players. But no one left a more significant impact on Green's career than Chris Wilcox.
Green became a fan of Wilcox when he led the Maryland Terrapins to the 2002 NCAA National Championship. He idolized Wilcox as a high schooler who attended Northwestern High School during Mayland's championship run. Six years later, Green got the chance to learn from Wilcox as a teammate in Seattle.
"I've had the opportunity throughout my career to get that advice," Green said. "But I took their advice and implemented it to how I am.
"It's great to get that advice from guys you look up to because they've been through the trenches of what this league is. But you have to implement it to better yourself, not what they did to try to be like them."
Şengün has shown star potential throughout his first two seasons. And eight games into the 2023-24 season, he has stayed the course. Şengün will play against his idol Sunday night when the Rockets welcome the Nuggets to the Toyota Center to close their seven-game homestand.
But instead of idolizing Jokić from afar, Green has encouraged Şengün to develop a relationship with his idol. The best way for Şengün to meet Green's challenge is to learn under Jokić as a mentee while aspiring to become greater.
"The best way to learn from one of the players you idolize is to create a relationship with them," Green said. "Joker is a great guy. I am sure if Alpi was to reach out, Joker would be willing to talk. But that's up to Alpi to see where he wants to take his career."
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