Forget MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James and JJ Redick can’t get enough of Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren.
James and his co-host JJ Redick discussed OKC’s offense and how Chet Holmgren has completely taken the team to a new level on the most recent episode of Mind the Game.
“I think about Chris Bosh, and it makes me think of Chet Holmgren a little bit,” Redick told James. “You guys probably run different stuff, but what makes OKC so good is their ability to drive the basketball. And then drive the basketball and then kick.
“And they did this last year, and they were 42-40. Then, all of a sudden, Chet comes in and it unlocks everything. To unlock how you maximize the offense, you need Chet on that team.”
7 ft 1 in Holmgren is averaging 16.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game all while being the team’s best defender averaging 2.4 blocks per game.
LeBron lauded his individual talent and ability to elevate OKC, which will go a long way in the postseason.
“No question about it, James said. “He changed the dynamic of everything. They have one set of free throws where they send two guys to the other end, both of them sit in the corner, and Chet takes the ball out, and now Shai has the ball in the right wing or left wing. Normally, the five’s job is to stop Shai from driving the 45… OKC now, there’s a guard that’s flaring Chet to the opposite slot.
“I mean, there’s ways to guard it, I’m not gonna say it right now because we may see them in the playoffs. But that’s very difficult when you have a guy like Shai, or J-Dub…”
The Thunder are the second-youngest team in the league and look to be building something special in Oklahoma.
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