Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren has taken the league by storm. The 21-year-old center has played a vital role in OKC’s 20-9 start to its season.
Despite it being his first season, Holmgren has built up quite an impressive resume to at least be considered as a rare rookie All-Star. In 29 games, he’s averaged 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.5 assists.
Battling it out with Victor Wembanyama, the Rookie of the Year award will likely come down between the two seven-footers. They’ve both received plenty of praise through their rookie campaigns as the next generation of great bigs.
But according to NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal, he’d like for the hype to calm down a bit for Holmgren, stating he needs to accomplish more before he can be called a phenom.
On Shaq’s podcast with Udonis Haslem, O’Neal opinionated some of the praise Holmgren has received is a bit too much, too fast when his co-host Adam Lefkoe used the word ‘phenomenal’ to describe the rookie center.
“Y’all throwing around words that we had to work hard for. Phenomenal’s not the right word… He’s good, but don’t be going promising and great and future Hall of Famer.
Starting today, I’m putting an end to all that s—. I am, starting today. Y’all can’t just be giving these people things who ain’t put in no work.
… Phenomenal is the wrong word. And you can’t use dominant unless he does it for a consistent amount of time — I’m not talking two or three games. I’m talking years.”
O’Neal is one of the greatest centers ever, so his thoughts on today’s centers will always hold merit. The four-time NBA champion has also enjoyed a successful post-playing career, being part of the NBA on TNT crew since 2011.
Meanwhile, Holmgren will have plenty of time to change O’Neal’s mind. The 21-year-old is just starting the beginning of his NBA career and with the way he’s played thus far in its infancy stages, he’ll have a strong chance to be one of the best centers of his era.
