$185,000,000 Turkish sensation makes his feelings clear about comparisons to Nikola Jokic

The Houston Rockets had the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and their next franchise player in sight.

Jalen Green looked like a potential scoring champion and taking him with the second-overall selection seemed like a no-brainer.

However, their best player was yet to be selected. Fourteen spots below, the Oklahoma City Thunder took Turkish big man Alperen Sengun, shortly trading him to Houston in exchange for two future first-round picks.

Sengun's rise to the top has been notorious, and he is now the building block for the Rockets.

His game has drawn comparisons to Nikola Jokic, as they are[ both great playmakers with excellent court vision who can make savvy and Magic Johnson-ish passes.

Even so, Alperen Sengun believes his game is much more complete now, so while he likes the comparisons, he thinks he is starting to come up as his own player:

"Yeah, I used to like it. But now I have all my game, you know? Now I have a lot of stuff," Sengun told The Athletic. "I’m using some moves from Jokić. I’m using some moves from Dirk (Nowitzki). All the stuff I’m using, I’m watching people and I’m seeing what I can do. I used to like (the Jokić comparison), but now I have my own sh–. Of course they still call me Baby Jokić, but that doesn’t bother me."

Alperen Sengun will go to war for Ime Udoka

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, right, talks to Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28). (Credits: IMAGN)

Alperen Sengun has made great strides over the years. While he is not regarded as a tough defender, he is a tough competitor.

That's why he wants to repay Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka for all the trust he put in him by running the offense through him:

"Whoever trusts me, or backs me up, I will take care of them all my life," Sengun said. "That’s how I was when I was kid. … That’s my personality. And Ime trusted me, so I just couldn’t fail him, you know? Everyone wants to be successful here. I want to be successful, too, and I just want to give my everything, whatever I’ve got."

Udoka also used to be a player as he had a seven-year career in the NBA, and thus, he knows how to connect with his team players.

Sengun is one of the most unique players in the league, but he knows he has to keep working to reach the top tier. He also signed a five-year deal worth $185 million (via ESPN's Shams Charania) and must keep his end of the agreement.

In 42 appearances for the Rockets, the Turkish player has averaged 19.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game on 48.9 percent from the floor.