By John Fanta
FOX Sports College Basketball Writer
Sam Presti was never afraid to swing by the fence. That’s why he was once quoted in Paul Georgethe documentary says that “fear doesn’t make money.”
So it’s no surprise that since the time NBA The draft lottery has assigned a 2nd overall pick for Oklahoma City, Chet Holmgren has always been a name associated with Thunder.
Thunder is betting on a 7-foot-long, 195-pound unicorn out of Gonzaga becoming a talent of the generation, and with OKC owning 4 of the top 34 picks in this draft, it makes all the more sense to get the big hit.
Why Chet Holmgren is the “perfect fit” for Thunder
The NBA Draft 2022 had an unexpected change with the score 1-3: Paolo Banchero to the Orlando Magic, Chet Holmgren to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Jabari Smith to the Houston Rockets. Joy Taylor reacts to the draft and explains why Holmgren is a perfect fit for OKC.
Before anything else, Holmgren’s rim guard jumps off the page and that trait translates instantly in the NBA. His 3.7 tackles per game ranked 4th in the nation last season, and he was one of the best defensive players for WCC champions Bulldogs, was the #1 seed and made it to the top. Sweet round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
The idea that because Holmgren looks thin, he is therefore not physically acceptable is not well understood and just plain wrong. The Minneapolis-born player possesses excellent toughness, often clinging to the defence. He also has a great, dynamic hand that allows him to wreak havoc on an opposing player.
Defense is what kicks off Holmgren’s offensive skill set. With such strides forward, the All-American Second Team united can quickly get where he wants to be. According to Synergy, he converted over 80% of his half-court pitches into the belt, the best record in college basketball.
What separates Holmgren from other potential clients by size and speed is his game of circumference. He has excellent shooting mechanics, and the confidence in his shot makes him a difficult opponent to defend, especially when he hits 39% from the edge of the arc in Gonzaga.
Thunder has a clear need for a size that can accommodate decks and the fact that they were underrated last season with Isaiah RobyJaylen Hoard, Derrick support and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl split time in years. Offering Holmgren meets the needs perfectly.
Whether Holmgren becomes a franchise superstar for OKC depends on how his frame can hold up under the fitness of the NBA’s 82-game marathon. It’s not that Holmgren won’t be ready to handle it – he’s extremely competitive – it’s whether his unique body can survive when large men move into him and make contact with his chest. him or not. He has to put on a little more weight, but even then, the question of how his particular frame comes through in the tournament is balanced.
“He’s going to have to adjust and learn like any player, but I think he’s unique,” Presti, the Thunder’s general manager, said after the draft. “If you really think about some of the best players in the NBA, and I’m not saying that he is or will be, but I think that sometimes uniqueness is beneficial and I think some of the things that make him… It becomes unique that can be leveraged and used.
“But it’s going to be a process. He has to figure it out, and we have to figure out how to set up the situations for him to succeed. I’m very confident that he will be ready, willing and able to participate. That’s one of the things about him that’s really fascinating.”
Holmgren hopes to be the guy for OKC, will also be looking for the 23-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 19 years old Josh Giddey to continue building. Gilgeous-Alexander ranked 11th in the NBA on a score of 24.5 PPG last season, while Giddey became the Second Team all-rookie.
“I feel like I fit them pretty well,” Holmgren said during his introductory press conference. “They can do a lot of things on the basketball court. Shai is known as a really good scorer. He can get anywhere on the court he wants without much help, and Josh is a great passer. Both really change the defense.”
Regardless of exactly how Holmgren ends up in the NBA, he’s already been a crowd pleaser for his avid Thunder fan base and really wants to call Oklahoma City his home.
“Now that I’m here, I can officially say this is where I want to be,” Holmgren said with a smile as he was introduced. “This is a great organization, great city, and great fan base.”
John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling the game on FS1 to serving as main presenter on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Media Network. Field of 68. Follow him on Twitter @John_Fanta.
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