Is Chet Holmgren enough to push the OKC Thunder from tanking to competing?
Hats off to OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti, who never deviated from his gut while navigating a sudden rebuild with precision and self-awareness. The Thunder architect steered the ship through contention with a triad of superstars and came out on the other side, evolving his team until there was nothing left to do but strip it down and start anew.
Fast forward through a frisky season with a rejuvenated Chris Paul and a few years of outright tanking to arrive at the doorstep of a new era led by No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren. A singular talent blending size, skill, and tenacity, Holmgren breaks the mold of NBA centers as we know them by playing with an innovative mindset on offense and an assertive approach on defense.
Holmgren defied expectations for the OKC Thunder in Las Vegas.
Draft analysts expressed concerns about Holmgren’s transition to the NBA, and rightfully so. His slender frame and questionable balance make him an easy target for the burly bigs he’ll face as a pro. Though he struggled at times, those concerns were generally eased at the Las Vegas Summer League, where Holmgren proved that his versatility defies all expectations.
Blocks
Buckets
Dimes
Chet Holmgren has some of everything in his @NBASummerLeague highlight tape
— NBA (@NBA) July 20, 2022
Oklahoma City played a balanced game with equal ball distribution, offering a fair opportunity to many of its young players. The offense wasn’t specifically catered to him and he wasn’t put in a position to force shots. Yet the 7-footer managed to hit more than half of his field goal attempts, 40% of his 3s, and demonstrated his ability to make his mark near the rim without having to bang in the post.
A transcendent prospect who would’ve been a worthy selection with the top overall pick, Holmgren already has the weight of the OKC Thunder on his shoulders. Presti has seen what combo guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is capable of and sophomore Josh Giddey has shown great promise, but they need a frontcourt option to bind the team together.
The OKC Thunder found a defensive fulcrum to mask their weaknesses.
While their record may not show it, Oklahoma City was a better defensive team than you’d expect last season. They finished 17th in defensive rating and 13th in defended field goal percentage but struggled in two vital areas: corner 3s and floater-range (or paint shots outside of the restricted area).
Theoretically, Holmgren should alleviate part of these weaknesses through his exceptional rim protection. Without a true center to cover the paint, Thunder players of all sizes and positions would converge at the basket to contest shots. Skilled playmakers and shot creators took advantage of them by distracting defenders with rim pressure and kicking out to corner shooters or dropping in floaters and baby hooks.
Using his 7-foot-6 ‘Go Go Gadget Arms,’ Holmgren can contest and sometimes block floaters more easily than your average center. It’s hard to find a player with that level of rim deterrence who’s as agile as Chet. The 20-year-old is capable of rotating on defense to track ball-handlers or screeners in a pick-and-roll. In theory, that should cover some of his team’s blind spots in the paint.
As for corner 3s—widely considered one of the most valuable shots in basketball—this new layer of rim protection should empower the OKC Thunder guards and wings to stick with shooters and close out with confidence. This issue extends far beyond the team’s center position, but adding personnel to protect different areas of the court floor will aid head coach Mark Daigneault in shoring up the team’s perimeter defense.
How will Holmgren influence a stagnant OKC Thunder offense?
Without question, the OKC Thunder had the worst offense in basketball a year ago. Their shot quality was often dismal as the team broke down into an ‘every man for himself’ playstyle. They ranked last in both field goal and 3-point percentage—largely because injuries and COVID-19 sapped them of the time required to nurture chemistry.
To no one’s surprise, SGA posted the highest individual offensive rating of any Thunder player who logged 1,000+ minutes. The scoring sensation uses his physicality and wit to shake defenders for pull-up jumpers or embarrass them near the rim with his blend of length and physicality. That being said, it takes a comprehensive effort to make an NBA offense sing and SGA can’t do it alone.
Improvement from Giddey, sophomore spark plug Tre Mann, and the $87.5 million dollar man, Luguentz Dort, should be anticipated. Even so, these issues run deeper than just individual growth. The Thunder need size, spacing, and above all else, creativity to fix the NBA’s worst offense. In a pick-and-roll league, OKC lacked modern bigs who could put pressure on the rim or draw defenders to the 3-point line and establish spacing.
Holmgren will immediately influence the OKC Thunder by pulling defenders away from the paint, opening lanes to the basket for his perimeter-oriented teammates. His creation from the high post was a catalyst in establishing Gonzaga as one of the best offenses in college basketball. He served as an offensive hub for off-ball motion which resulted in clean looks at the basket and along the perimeter for various teammates. The lanky center tosses accurate passes over the top of defenders and through tight windows to position his teammates for buckets. He’s also capable of operating handoffs or using his wealth of dribble moves to break down defenders while sets are established away from the ball.
POINT HOLMGREN
Chet is out there running the offense for the @okcthunder on NBA TV
— NBA (@NBA) July 14, 2022
Chet enters a great situation since he won’t be relied upon to lead the team in scoring. A student of the game and mindful player, he’s at his best when exploiting weaknesses in his opponent’s coverage instead of forcing shots. He’s a lock to make the nightly NBA Top 10 at least a few times by dazzling off the dribble, but Holmgren doesn’t need the ball in his hands to leave his mark on a game.
There is more pressure on Daigneault to fix this offense than his newest rookie sensation, but adding a one-of-a-kind player like Chet should make the third-year coach’s job easier. Unfortunately for him and the rest of his team, competition keeps growing more intense in the Western Conference. The Thunder probably won’t need to actively tank to earn a lottery ball.
Adding Holmgren to the lineup will facilitate a shift in mindset for this OKC Thunder core. Whether they finish at the bottom of the conference, sneak into the Play-In, or finish anywhere in between, there’s no way this team plays to lose any longer.
Is Chet Holmgren enough to push the OKC Thunder from tanking to competing?
Hats off to OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti, who never deviated from his gut while navigating a sudden rebuild with precision and self-awareness. The Thunder architect steered the ship through contention with a triad of superstars and came out on the other side, evolving his team until there was nothing left to do but strip it down and start anew.
Fast forward through a frisky season with a rejuvenated Chris Paul and a few years of outright tanking to arrive at the doorstep of a new era led by No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren. A singular talent blending size, skill, and tenacity, Holmgren breaks the mold of NBA centers as we know them by playing with an innovative mindset on offense and an assertive approach on defense.
Holmgren defied expectations for the OKC Thunder in Las Vegas.
Draft analysts expressed concerns about Holmgren’s transition to the NBA, and rightfully so. His slender frame and questionable balance make him an easy target for the burly bigs he’ll face as a pro. Though he struggled at times, those concerns were generally eased at the Las Vegas Summer League, where Holmgren proved that his versatility defies all expectations.
Blocks
Buckets
Dimes
Chet Holmgren has some of everything in his @NBASummerLeague highlight tape
— NBA (@NBA) July 20, 2022
Oklahoma City played a balanced game with equal ball distribution, offering a fair opportunity to many of its young players. The offense wasn’t specifically catered to him and he wasn’t put in a position to force shots. Yet the 7-footer managed to hit more than half of his field goal attempts, 40% of his 3s, and demonstrated his ability to make his mark near the rim without having to bang in the post.
A transcendent prospect who would’ve been a worthy selection with the top overall pick, Holmgren already has the weight of the OKC Thunder on his shoulders. Presti has seen what combo guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is capable of and sophomore Josh Giddey has shown great promise, but they need a frontcourt option to bind the team together.
The OKC Thunder found a defensive fulcrum to mask their weaknesses.
While their record may not show it, Oklahoma City was a better defensive team than you’d expect last season. They finished 17th in defensive rating and 13th in defended field goal percentage but struggled in two vital areas: corner 3s and floater-range (or paint shots outside of the restricted area).
Theoretically, Holmgren should alleviate part of these weaknesses through his exceptional rim protection. Without a true center to cover the paint, Thunder players of all sizes and positions would converge at the basket to contest shots. Skilled playmakers and shot creators took advantage of them by distracting defenders with rim pressure and kicking out to corner shooters or dropping in floaters and baby hooks.
Using his 7-foot-6 ‘Go Go Gadget Arms,’ Holmgren can contest and sometimes block floaters more easily than your average center. It’s hard to find a player with that level of rim deterrence who’s as agile as Chet. The 20-year-old is capable of rotating on defense to track ball-handlers or screeners in a pick-and-roll. In theory, that should cover some of his team’s blind spots in the paint.
As for corner 3s—widely considered one of the most valuable shots in basketball—this new layer of rim protection should empower the OKC Thunder guards and wings to stick with shooters and close out with confidence. This issue extends far beyond the team’s center position, but adding personnel to protect different areas of the court floor will aid head coach Mark Daigneault in shoring up the team’s perimeter defense.
How will Holmgren influence a stagnant OKC Thunder offense?
Without question, the OKC Thunder had the worst offense in basketball a year ago. Their shot quality was often dismal as the team broke down into an ‘every man for himself’ playstyle. They ranked last in both field goal and 3-point percentage—largely because injuries and COVID-19 sapped them of the time required to nurture chemistry.
To no one’s surprise, SGA posted the highest individual offensive rating of any Thunder player who logged 1,000+ minutes. The scoring sensation uses his physicality and wit to shake defenders for pull-up jumpers or embarrass them near the rim with his blend of length and physicality. That being said, it takes a comprehensive effort to make an NBA offense sing and SGA can’t do it alone.
Improvement from Giddey, sophomore spark plug Tre Mann, and the $87.5 million dollar man, Luguentz Dort, should be anticipated. Even so, these issues run deeper than just individual growth. The Thunder need size, spacing, and above all else, creativity to fix the NBA’s worst offense. In a pick-and-roll league, OKC lacked modern bigs who could put pressure on the rim or draw defenders to the 3-point line and establish spacing.
Holmgren will immediately influence the OKC Thunder by pulling defenders away from the paint, opening lanes to the basket for his perimeter-oriented teammates. His creation from the high post was a catalyst in establishing Gonzaga as one of the best offenses in college basketball. He served as an offensive hub for off-ball motion which resulted in clean looks at the basket and along the perimeter for various teammates. The lanky center tosses accurate passes over the top of defenders and through tight windows to position his teammates for buckets. He’s also capable of operating handoffs or using his wealth of dribble moves to break down defenders while sets are established away from the ball.
POINT HOLMGREN
Chet is out there running the offense for the @okcthunder on NBA TV
— NBA (@NBA) July 14, 2022
Chet enters a great situation since he won’t be relied upon to lead the team in scoring. A student of the game and mindful player, he’s at his best when exploiting weaknesses in his opponent’s coverage instead of forcing shots. He’s a lock to make the nightly NBA Top 10 at least a few times by dazzling off the dribble, but Holmgren doesn’t need the ball in his hands to leave his mark on a game.
There is more pressure on Daigneault to fix this offense than his newest rookie sensation, but adding a one-of-a-kind player like Chet should make the third-year coach’s job easier. Unfortunately for him and the rest of his team, competition keeps growing more intense in the Western Conference. The Thunder probably won’t need to actively tank to earn a lottery ball.
Adding Holmgren to the lineup will facilitate a shift in mindset for this OKC Thunder core. Whether they finish at the bottom of the conference, sneak into the Play-In, or finish anywhere in between, there’s no way this team plays to lose any longer.
