Chet Holmgren is Paving the OKC Thunder’s Road to NBA Playoffs
The Oklahoma City Thunder feel back.
It’s not just about the on-court product, which currently has them sitting at 17-8 and No. 2 in the Western Conference.
It’s the league-wide hype they’re garnering. The energy and buzz enveloping the franchise. The “aura,” as the kids might say.
It's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s nightly MVP presence, Jalen Willliams emergence as a two-way star and everything in between fuels that feeling. But perhaps nothing does more than rookie Chet Holmgren.
At 7-foot-1 with a combination of fluidity and mobility, premier shot-blocking capabilities and ambidextrous at-rim finishing, Holmgren has quickly galvanized OKC.
He’s genetically altered the way they function. And there’s no better example than his last two contests, which featured a gaudy 15 blocks in just seven quarters.
On the year, he’s now averaging 16.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocks while shooting 52% overall and 37% from beyond the arc.
And it’s not just Holmgren’s current output. It’s his potential, too. The fact he’s only going to become a better and more confident shooter. That he’s only going to further dissect opposing superstar’s tendencies with his high-level basketball IQ.
The Thunder are an undoubtedly fine basketball team sans-Holmgren. That was proven with their 40-42 record last season and numerous stellar individual performacnes.
But they're a great team with Holmgren. One that's currently coasting directly towards the NBA Playoffs, and potentially with home field advantage, too.
Holmgren being the final piece to the OKC rebuild's puzzle wasn't a hot take or hidden gem. But seeing it come to fruition has been something to behold, so far.
OKC is back in action against the Clippers at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21. Where Holmgren will look to continue his reign of terror on the glass.
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