Overlook MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James and JJ Redick can’t get sufficient of Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren.
James and his co-host JJ Redick mentioned OKC’s offense and the way Chet Holmgren has fully taken the workforce to a brand new stage on the newest episode of Thoughts the Sport.
“I take into consideration Chris Bosh, and it makes me consider Chet Holmgren a bit of bit,” Redick informed James. “You guys in all probability run totally different stuff, however what makes OKC so good is their capability to drive the basketball. After which drive the basketball after which kick.
“And so they did this final yr, and so they have been 42-40. Then, rapidly, Chet is available in and it unlocks all the pieces. To unlock the way you maximize the offense, you want Chet on that workforce.”
7 ft 1 in Holmgren is averaging 16.7 factors, 7.9 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists per recreation all whereas being the workforce’s greatest defender averaging 2.4 blocks per recreation.
LeBron lauded his particular person expertise and skill to raise OKC, which is able to go a good distance within the postseason.
“No query about it, James stated. “He modified the dynamic of all the pieces. They’ve one set of free throws the place they ship two guys to the opposite finish, each of them sit within the nook, and Chet takes the ball out, and now Shai has the ball in the appropriate wing or left wing. Usually, the 5’s job is to cease Shai from driving the 45… OKC now, there’s a guard that’s flaring Chet to the other slot.
“I imply, there’s methods to protect it, I’m not gonna say it proper now as a result of we might even see them within the playoffs. However that’s very troublesome when you’ve gotten a man like Shai, or J-Dub…”
The Thunder are the second-youngest workforce within the league and look to be constructing one thing particular in Oklahoma.
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