In a rare off-season moment, Oklahoma City Thunder exceptional recruit Chet Holmgren appeared on Paul George’s “P Podcast” to dive into a wide range of basketball discussions.
The 22-year-old is coming off an impressive rookie season and is eager to continue that momentum next year.
Chet Holmgren’s “Welcome to the NBA” Moment
Holmgren shared his “welcome to the NBA” moment on the latest episode of the podcast.
“I was robbed by [Andre] “Drummond and then he took me down on the counterattack, in my first game,” said the Thunder rookie.
Holmgren laughed at the situation, but no one liked being pushed around like that. Being a tall, thin man of six feet only made the moment even more awkward and exaggerated.
“I was also very salty after the match,” he continued.
Andre Drummond provided a reality check In October, Drummond first sent a dunk over Holmgren in the paint. On the next possession, Drummond stole the ball from Holmgren near the top of the paint, then raced the ball from one end of the court to the other, centered it and left it on the floor in what became one of the most memorable moments of the Bulls’ season.
Impressive rookie season for young Thunder star
While his performance in his first NBA game may seem modest compared to the hype he’s generated over the years, it actually fits perfectly with his development trajectory. He recorded 11 points, four rebounds and three assists in the win.
While Holmgren shows great promise, he still has to adjust to the physicality and pace of the NBA. His encounter with Drummond highlights the typical obstacles that rookies like him face in their transition to professional basketball.
Chet Holmgren’s rookie season, technically his second in the NBA due to injury, was very impressive. He averaged over 16 points per game with excellent shooting efficiency and recorded over two blocks per game.
The rivalry between Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren
If Victor Wembanyama had not been in the running, Holmgren would probably have dominated the race for Rookie of the Year. Holmgren and Wembanyama are both among the most promising young defenders to enter the NBA since Hakeem Olajuwon.
According to most basketball fans, the San Antonio Spurs star outshined his peers and capped off his remarkable season by winning the Rookie of the Year award. With the dramatic narratives surrounding both players during their rookie seasons, many are now eager to see the next major NBA rivalry.
THE Chet and Wemby Rivalry has a classic feel, reminiscent of legendary matchups like Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson in the ’80s and Hakeem Olajuwon vs. Shaquille O’Neal in the ’90s.
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While the two emerging stars still have a ways to go before their duels can rival those of their Hall of Fame counterparts, their clashes already have a unique and captivating appeal.
Holmgren and Wembanyama’s story goes back long before they ever arrived in the NBA. Yet neither could have anticipated the level of attention and excitement their professional debuts would generate.
The term “beef” may be a trendy way to describe their heated rivalry, but Holmgren doesn’t see it that way.
“People say to me, ‘You got beef?’ I say, ‘Beef?’ We’re in competition,” Holmgren also said on the podcast.
Despite the buzz surrounding their encounters, there was no real animosity between the two big men during their matches.
With a successful offseason, the Thunder are considered serious championship contenders, entering the first phase of their championship run, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
