Chet Holmgren has been spoken about very highly since he got drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 draft. The 7-footer has all the tools to become an NBA great, drawing comparisons to Kevin Durant. And to those that didn’t know why he put on a display in his first Summer League game to show exactly what makes him so good.
Holmgren came out with an exciting display, hitting some great shots and going 7-9 from the field. This immediately drew Kevin Durant comparisons from fans, but Chet also showed out on the defensive end, matching the Summer League record by getting 6 blocks. Despite it being just in the Summer League, Holmgren’s performances have caught everyone’s attention, including the man himself, KD.
I see u cookin 7. First day on the job was a success, love the kicks @ChetHolmgren https://t.co/sQrgDpPCU0
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 6, 2022
“I see u cookin 7. First day on the job was a success, love the kicks @ChetHolmgren.”
Holmgren did all this while wearing the same jersey number as Durant’s current one, 7. He also wore the KD 15 shoes, so it’s no surprise that he got a shoutout from the Slim Reaper himself. While it is too early to determine anything, Holmgren continuing to show out will likely only lead to more comparisons with Durant.
A big positive for OKC from the whole situation was that Chet seemed to gel well with their other budding young star in Josh Giddey. Adding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has turned into a borderline All-Star, to the mix means the Thunder could end up being competitive perhaps sooner than they expected.
It’s important for the fans to not set too many expectations from the rookie and allow him to settle in at his own pace. However, the support from KD in public and all the hype will likely only feed Holmgren, who doesn’t lack any confidence. The future is looking exciting for the Thunder.
