While their record may not show it, Oklahoma City was a better defensive team than you’d expect last season. They finished 17th in defensive rating and 13th in defended field goal percentage but struggled in two vital areas: corner 3s and floater-range (or paint shots outside of the restricted area).
Theoretically, Holmgren should alleviate part of these weaknesses through his exceptional rim protection. Without a true center to cover the paint, Thunder players of all sizes and positions would converge at the basket to contest shots. Skilled playmakers and shot creators took advantage of them by distracting defenders with rim pressure and kicking out to corner shooters or dropping in floaters and baby hooks.
Using his 7-foot-6 ‘Go Go Gadget Arms,’ Holmgren can contest and sometimes block floaters more easily than your average center. It’s hard to find a player with that level of rim deterrence who’s as agile as Chet. The 20-year-old is capable of rotating on defense to track ball-handlers or screeners in a pick-and-roll. In theory, that should cover some of his team’s blind spots in the paint.
As for corner 3s—widely considered one of the most valuable shots in basketball—this new layer of rim protection should empower the OKC Thunder guards and wings to stick with shooters and close out with confidence. This issue extends far beyond the team’s center position, but adding personnel to protect different areas of the court floor will aid head coach Mark Daigneault in shoring up the team’s perimeter defense.
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<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/chet-okc-thunder-tanking-competing/2/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1549839059459010560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 20, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Oklahoma City played a balanced game with equal ball distribution, offering a fair opportunity to many of its young players. The offense wasn’t specifically catered to him and he wasn’t put in a position to force shots. Yet the 7-footer managed to hit more than half of his field goal attempts, 40% of his 3s, and demonstrated his ability to make his mark near the rim without having to bang in the post.</p>
<p>A transcendent prospect who would’ve been a worthy selection with the top overall pick, Holmgren already has the weight of the OKC Thunder on his shoulders. Presti has seen what combo guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is capable of and sophomore Josh Giddey has shown great promise, but they need a frontcourt option to bind the team together.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/chet-okc-thunder-tanking-competing/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Defensive Game-Changer </a>
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<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/08/12/chet-okc-thunder-tanking-competing/2/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547387429707022336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 14, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Chet enters a great situation since he won’t be relied upon to lead the team in scoring. A student of the game and mindful player, he’s at his best when exploiting weaknesses in his opponent’s coverage instead of forcing shots. He’s a lock to make the nightly NBA Top 10 at least a few times by dazzling off the dribble, but Holmgren doesn’t need the ball in his hands to leave his mark on a game.</p>
<p>There is more pressure on Daigneault to fix this offense than his newest rookie sensation, but adding a one-of-a-kind player like Chet should make the third-year coach’s job easier. Unfortunately for him and the rest of his team, competition keeps growing more intense in the Western Conference. The Thunder probably won’t need to actively tank to earn a lottery ball.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="8 teams competing for Wembanyama in the 2023 Draft" data-url="http://hoopshabit.com/2022/07/06/2023-nba-draft-victor-wembanyama/" data-call-to-action="Next"
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<p>Adding Holmgren to the lineup will facilitate a shift in mindset for this OKC Thunder core. Whether they finish at the bottom of the conference, sneak into the Play-In, or finish anywhere in between, there’s no way this team plays to lose any longer.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">