Chet Holmgren discusses his aggressive approach on offense this season
There were many highlights to the Oklahoma City Thunder's 57-win campaign a season ago, including the stunning arrival of rookie center Chet Holmgren. The Gonzaga product quickly addressed concerns about his ability to perform on the next level to bed. It displayed unwavering confidence on the court despite taking a year off to dedicate to rehab.
Holmgren led the charge for Oklahoma City's fourth-best defensive unit in the NBA. From swallowing shots at the rim using his wirey length to showcasing an innate ability to put the ball on the deck and score off a crossover, there was little Chet failed to show.
The next step for No. 7
It felt like the big man was a veteran in sheep's clothing. Without his fine play, the Thunder wouldn't have nearly constructed the kind of historic season they had. Even better, the 7-footer has plenty of room for growth.
Still, years from his prime, this season and the few that follow will bridge Holmgren to the height of his game. As the Blue and Orange seat themselves as perennial title contenders, their star center will push conversations about the best big man in the game.
General manager Sam Presti drafted Chet with the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, making him one of the pioneering pieces to the franchise's rebuild. The architect expected nothing but gradual steps forward. For this season, Presti wants his rising star to arrive as a sound playmaker and play with more of a selfish edge. After all, talent like this doesn't grow on trees.
On Day 2 of Thunder training camp, No. 7 showed us what the 2024 season could look like for him on offense. Now that he has defensive support in the form of star big man Isaiah Hartenstein look out for savvy Chet to force the issue on offense.
"I'm out there to be aggressive and make winning plays for our team," says the rising sophomore. "That's not going to be any different from before. As the season evolves and as we go on and as I continue to earn the opportunity in different spots on the floor, I'm sure that'll evolve. It's on me to go out there and make winning plays. That's what I am trying to do."
An aggressive Chet will inevitably be his best version. Although he is a sound pick-and-roll screener and can score points off lobs to the rim, Oklahoma City was consistently productive when No. 7 created his shot.
It remains to be seen how much of the defensive burden Hartenstein can carry and how it'll benefit Holmgren. All we know is this: Despite having the rim protection onus on his shoulders last season, Holmgren assembled a Rookie of the Year-worthy campaign.
Related: Does Oklahoma City have the NBA's most lethal starting five?This story was originally published October 6, 2024, 10:00 PM.
