Holmgren makes it clear that any rivalry at Wemby is not because he has anything personal against the Spurs star.
SAN ANTONIO — The growing rivalry between the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren and San Antonio Spurs“Victor Wembanyama is a must-see on television when the two men meet on the field.
However, Holmgren is keen to point out that their rivalry is not due to any personal issue he has with the Spurs star. It is simply two players competing to win.
“We’re always going to be in competition, and if people take it as if we have a conflict, those people don’t really understand what competition is,” Holmgren said on Paul George’s “Podcast P.”
“I honestly don’t know this guy. We just play basketball against each other as competitors. Neither of us wants to lose.”
Both men were in competition for the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year award, but ultimately it was Wembanyama who won the award despite being out for most of last season; Holmgren was leading the race.
Wemby finished his rookie season with an NBA-best 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game. Holmgren averaged 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game in his first season and reached the NBA playoffs.
On the team level, Holmgren and the Thunder won the regular season series against the Spurs at Wemby, two of three meetings.
Regardless, being both in the same rookie class, both giants of the league and both poised to become stars, it’s easy to believe they had personal issues with each other.
It’s good to know that there is no animosity off the field, but on the field, the two are simply competitors looking to make their team win.
Which makes it an exceptional individual clash to watch for the coming seasons.
What do you say, Spurs fans? Let us know on X at KENS 5 And JeffGSpursKENS5.
