The Boston Celtics have done it again. A franchise that has always been synonymous with reinvention, tradition, and unyielding dominance has officially landed one of the most unique and exciting big men in today’s basketball landscape. Alperen Şengün, the “under-the-basket genius” from Turkey, is now a Celtic, and with his arrival comes a new vision of what basketball in Boston could look like. This is not just another signing, not just another talent added to the roster; this is a game-changer, a foundational piece that could redefine the Celtics’ approach to controlling the paint and elevate them into an entirely new era of dominance in the NBA. When analysts first began comparing Şengün to Nikola Jokić, many shrugged it off as hype. After all, Jokić is a once-in-a-generation player, a two-time MVP, and an NBA champion whose style of play is nearly impossible to replicate. But then the games started, and with every touch, every pass, every pivot, Şengün made it clear: the comparisons were not far-fetched. His vision on the court, his patience, his ability to manipulate defenses with the ball in his hands, and his unmatched footwork around the rim all screamed of something extraordinary. At only twenty-two years old, Şengün has been described as a “young Jokic clone,” but now, as he dons the green and white of Boston, he has the chance to carve out a legacy that is entirely his own. For the Celtics, this move signifies not only ambition but also evolution. For decades, Boston has been associated with big men who could dominate in their own way—Bill Russell’s defensive brilliance, Robert Parish’s steadiness, Kevin Garnett’s intensity. Now Şengün steps into that lineage with a skill set that might be the most offensively versatile the Celtics have ever had in the frontcourt. He is not just a scorer. He is not just a rebounder. He is a playmaker in every sense of the word, capable of orchestrating offense from the post like a guard, finding cutters, spacing the floor with his shooting touch, and confusing defenses with his unpredictability. For head coach Joe Mazzulla, this signing is like being handed a new toolbox. The Celtics already boast some of the league’s most dynamic wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, players who thrive in isolation, in transition, and in shot creation. What they have often lacked is a true offensive hub in the paint, someone who can take pressure off the perimeter stars and give Boston a multi-dimensional attack. With Şengün, that missing piece is now firmly in place. Imagine the possibilities: Tatum working off-ball while Şengün initiates offense from the elbow, Brown cutting backdoor for easy layups created by Şengün’s pinpoint passes, shooters like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard feasting on open threes thanks to defenses collapsing inside. This isn’t just theoretical—it’s what Şengün has already been showing glimpses of throughout his young career, and now, with the Celtics’ roster around him, it has the potential to blossom into a fully realized system of offensive dominance. Beyond his skill set, Şengün brings a mentality that fits perfectly with Boston’s culture. His journey from Giresun, Turkey, to the NBA was not a glamorous one. He was not always heralded as a can’t-miss prospect. Instead, he built his game piece by piece, honing his craft in the Turkish Basketball Super League before making the leap to the NBA. His work ethic, his creativity, his love for the game—they all shine through in the way he plays. He plays with flair but also with grit, an artist with the basketball who doesn’t shy away from doing the dirty work under the rim. That balance is exactly what the Celtics need. The fit on the defensive end will also be a subject of intrigue. While Şengün has drawn questions about his rim protection compared to more traditional shot-blocking bigs, what he lacks in raw vertical intimidation he compensates for with anticipation, positioning, and effort. Boston’s defensive schemes, anchored by versatile defenders like Tatum, Brown, Jrue Holiday, and others, will help cover any weaknesses, and in return, Şengün’s rebounding and ability to quickly transition from defense to offense could supercharge the Celtics’ pace. The synergy between Boston’s defensive identity and Şengün’s offensive ingenuity could create one of the most balanced teams in the league. For Celtics fans, this signing represents more than just numbers and matchups. It is the excitement of seeing something fresh in TD Garden, of knowing that every night, Şengün could pull off a move, a pass, or a sequence that makes jaws drop and gets the crowd roaring. Boston has always embraced players with character, those who bring personality and uniqueness to the floor. In Şengün, they are getting a player who plays with joy, who experiments, who creates magic in moments where most players would see only standard options. That joy is infectious, and it has the potential to energize not only his teammates but also an entire fanbase hungry for the next great chapter in Celtics history. The broader NBA landscape also shifts with this signing. In a league where versatility and creativity have become paramount, the Celtics now have one of the few big men who can genuinely tilt the court in multiple directions. Teams will have to rethink how they guard Boston, no longer able to focus solely on limiting Tatum and Brown. With Şengün in the mix, Boston has added a level of unpredictability that makes them even scarier in playoff scenarios, where adaptability often determines success. Rival GMs will look at this move with both admiration and concern, knowing that the Celtics may have just found their answer to the problem that has vexed them in recent years: how to complement their superstar wings with a long-term, versatile big man who can elevate everyone around him. The future implications are staggering. Şengün is young, still years away from his prime, yet already producing at a level that puts him among the most promising centers in the NBA. Pairing his timeline with Tatum’s and Brown’s primes creates a window for Boston that could stretch deep into the decade. This isn’t a short-term gamble; this is a long-term investment in sustained excellence. The Celtics aren’t just chasing one championship—they are building the foundation for an era. Of course, there will be challenges. Integrating such a unique player requires adjustments from both the coaching staff and the roster. Tatum and Brown will need to embrace playing off a big man more than they have in the past. Role players will need to adjust to new patterns of movement and spacing. And Şengün himself will face the pressure of performing in a city that demands nothing less than greatness. But if there is any stage big enough for him, it is Boston, a city that has always celebrated basketball artistry alongside grit. TD Garden is a cathedral of basketball, and now it has a new maestro in the paint. For Boston, this moment feels like destiny. After years of coming close, of building and tweaking, of searching for the elusive balance, the Celtics may have finally found the piece that completes their puzzle. With Alperen Şengün, they have not only added talent but also reimagined their possibilities. They have embraced the future while honoring the past, connecting the legacy of their great big men with the modern evolution of the game. The “under-the-basket genius” is here, and he is ready to write his story in green and white. The next time the Celtics step on the floor, the world will be watching. Every pass from Şengün, every spin move in the post, every unexpected assist that slices open a defense will be a reminder that Boston has entered a new era. It is an era defined by creativity, by dominance, by a fusion of old-school toughness and new-school brilliance. For Celtics fans, it is the beginning of something special. For the NBA, it is a warning. Boston has reloaded, reinvented, and risen once more, and at the heart of it all is Alperen Şengün, the young star from Turkey who has the chance to be remembered not just as a Jokic clone, but as a legend in his own right. The blockbreak at TD Garden is complete. A new chapter begins, and the future of the Celtics has never looked brighter.
BLOCKBREAK AT TD GARDEN: Boston Celtics officially signed Alperen Şengün – the “under-the-basket genius” from Turkey, who is considered a young Jokic clone, promising to completely change the way the Celtics dominate the paint and open a new era of dominance in the NBA!
