He can play a complementary role off All-NBA shooting guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Rookie of the Year runner-up wing Jalen Williams and point guard Josh Giddey. Oklahoma City also has the luxury of not needing Holmgren to be a primary offensive option. ("Anthony Davis is going to put him in the basket," one Western Conference scout scoffed.) But the Thunder can pair him with 6-foot-10, 245-pound Jaylin Williams, a steal of a second-round pick in the 2022 draft, who can take most of those matchups and allow Holmgren to thrive as a help defender.
There are doubts about how Holmgren can hold up against the few elite post-up threats. He has nine blocks in three summer league games between the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas leagues.
It's hard to find anyone who questions whether Holmgren will be a major force right away as a rim protector, filling a glaring need for a young Thunder team that made the play-in last season. After an 11-month layoff, he's chipping off rust, working on conditioning and learning from live game action with Oklahoma City's summer league team. Holmgren's combination of tools and toughness gives him a good chance to make an immediate impact in a rookie season that was delayed a year by a Lisfranc injury to his right foot that had to be surgically repaired. "Otherwise, the game's not going to go in my favor when it gets physical, so I've got to hit first." "You don't have to take a second look at me to know that I'm not the biggest dude width-wise, so I've got to be physical," Holmgren said after the Thunder's win Saturday. That allowed Holmgren the leverage and room to execute a fundamental boxout, although the shot was good. He was at a disadvantage, standing under the basket with his back to the baseline, before he put his shoulder into the chest of 234-pound rookie big man Dereck Lively II like a tight end blocking on a run play. Those who aren't that familiar with Holmgren's game, or who make assumptions based on his frame that beefed up to 208 pounds since he was selected second overall in the 2022 draft, might have been taken aback by what he did a moment later.Īs a corner 3 was launched after the Mavs chased down the loose ball, Holmgren aggressively fought for rebounding position. That sort of play from Holmgren, who is gifted with a 7-foot-5¼ wingspan and rare mobility for his size, is no surprise. Randolph's Eurostep in the lane allowed Holmgren to close that gap at the last split-second before elevating off the floor and swatting the layup attempt off the glass, a block that elicited loud gasps from the crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center. Holmgren sprinted the length of the court as Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Randolph pushed the pace in transition, staying a couple of his long strides behind the ball. What else are players, coaches and front office personnel buzzing about in the desert? Here's what our NBA insiders are hearing.Ĭhet Holmgren taking advantage of second rookie year Off the court, NBA commissioner Adam Silver officially launched the new in-season tournament in high fashion. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, who missed his entire rookie season due to a right foot injury, has proved he made the most of his time rehabilitating the injury, averaging 12.5 points, 10 rebounds and 3.5 blocks through three summer league games in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Eight of the top 10 picks from the 2022 class also have participated in summer league. The event has given fans a look at the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, the Charlotte Hornets' Brandon Miller and the Portland Trail Blazers' Scoot Henderson, the top three picks in the 2023 NBA draft, in their first NBA action. The first weekend of the NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas is in the books. NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors NBA summer league 2023: Chet Holmgren, Chris Paul and more buzz from Vegas
#CHRIS PAUL AND BLAKE GRIFFIN STATS TWITTER UPGRADE#
You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
0 kommentar(er)
