The Oklahoma City Thunder earned the No. 1 seed in the toughest Western Conference this season, becoming the youngest team in NBA history to reach the top of the rankings.
Rookie big man Chet Holmgren has been a big part of their growth, winning at least 15 games for the second consecutive season.
The Gonzaga product provides Oklahoma City with a high-level defense featuring elite rim protection, outside scoring, and play finishing, helping push the Thunder into the top five on offense and defense this season.
Ahead of Game 3 against the Dallas Mavericks, the assembled media asked Jason Kidd questions on a wide range of topics, then criticized the rookie big man. When asked to compare Holmgren to another NBA player, Kidd pondered for about five seconds before spitting out two interesting answers.
“I think Victor [Wembanyama]maybe Giannis [Antetokoumnpo] If you're looking for an older player,'' Jason Kidd said after pondering the question and admitting he was caught off guard by the quiz.
Wembaneyama and Holmgren will be linked throughout their careers, but this is the first time someone within the NBA's walls has compared the rookie big man to the former league MVP.
”[Chet Holmgren’s] The ability to put the ball on the floor, the ability to play on the perimeter, the way he protects the rim, he's a guy who plays his role at a high level… He looks coachable, he's about the team,
Kid then grinned and laughed and spat, “It's not bad. I hope he doesn't get offended by it.”
The Mavericks' sideline pacers have been very complementary to Sander and Holmgren throughout the series. Both teams are currently tied at 1 win and 1 loss in the best-of-seven series.
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