Chet Holmgren will never forget October 25, 2023.
Not only will this date be considered his official NBA debut (he missed his entire first season with the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a foot injury), but it was the game that immediately gave him his “welcome to the NBA moment.” Often considered an embarrassing accident, some rookies avoid their moment until later in their first year. Holmgren did so quickly, and he has the former Bull Andre Drummond to thank for that.
Appearing on a episode of Podcast P with Paul GeorgeHolmgren told the story of Drummond stealing his play before breaking his ankles on opening night in Chicago. While he can now look back and laugh at the play, he said there was definitely some frustration at first.
“My welcome-to-the-NBA moment in a game was when I got dispossessed by Andre Drummond. And then he took me down on the fast break in my first game. I was pretty salty after the game, too,” Holmgren said. “I was asked if that was my welcome-to-the-NBA moment and I didn’t want to say yes. But now, looking back on it, it’s like, it’s kind of funny now. Damn, man.”
Protect your eyes, Chet!
For all of Drummond’s flexibility and agility, the big man is the last person you’d expect to snatch the ball away and cross you. Adam Amin’s call expressed the sheer shock that everyone in the arena felt — and I’m sure Holmgren included.
Hey, at least the 2.13 kid got the last laugh. I tried to forget that the Thunder left the United Center with a 124-104 win, which is not the case. Not to mention the fact that Holmgren finished second in ROY last season and played a crucial role in helping Oklahoma City finish atop the West Division! So while Drummond gave him a harsh reception around the league, I’m sure Holmgren will do the same to develop rookies in the years to come.
