It appears the Oklahoma City Thunder have nailed their crown jewel pick of their recent rebuild with Chet Holmgren.
The 22-year-old flourished in his rookie season and helped OKC become the youngest first seed in league history. The seven-footer averaged 16.5 points on 53% shooting, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks.
He provided elite rim protection and can handle the ball as a lengthy center. He’s also a plus-shooter from deep. He has plenty of room to grow after one year, especially on the offensive end.
Holmgren is part of OKC’s trio with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. That triumvirate headline the Thunder’s current title window.
Off the court, Holmgren’s personality meshes well with how the Thunder carry themselves. The 22-year-old’s no-nonsense mindset matches up with OKC’s business-like approach.
In a podcast appearance on “Road Trippin’,” Holmgren told former NBA players Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye how much he admires Sam Presti’s work ethic.
“There’s a reason why everybody looks at what he’s doing and are like wildly impressed,” Holmgren said. “… I would just say, ‘Sit the f— down.’
“That m—–f—— is on a different level. He’s on a different level of consciousness. When you talk to him, it’s just like, yeah. You only know if you had a conversation with him but when you do it’s like, ‘This m—–f—— is so light years ahead of where I am.'”
Chet Holmgren on Sam Presti:
“This motherf***** is so light years ahead of where I am.
I don’t even think or worry about what he’s doing. I’m like, ‘he’s gonna get this sh*t right.. let me get my sh*t right.”
(@RoadTrippinPod) pic.twitter.com/q0xOXGaUHa
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) July 17, 2024
Holmgren said he fully trusts Presti to help build up a contender in OKC. Considering their offseason additions, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
“I don’t even think or worry about what he’s doing,” Holmgren said. “I’m like, ‘He’s gonna get this s— right, let me get my s— right.’ I got a long way to go. Let me sit the f— down and get my s— right.”
Organizational synergy is an important aspect when it comes to maintaining the health of the Thunder. It’s music to Thunder fans’ ears to hear that Holmgren and Presti are on the same page.
