For portion of final season, the Oklahoma City Thunder had been a really respectable defensive group. In reality, in the beginning of March they had been high ten in the NBA.
While the defensive effectivity slipped late in the season as key gamers had been sidelined, there’s actual optimism that Oklahoma City may very well be a high tier defensive group in the 2022-23 marketing campaign. Adding No. 2 general Chet Holmgren to the rotation is the important thing to simply how good the Thunder may very well be.
Known for being an elite rim protector, the 7-footer does lack bodily power. He’s obtained a skinny body, however that hasn’t held him again thus far. Holmgren was arguably one of the best shot blocker in school basketball final season, which has translated to the NBA up to now via summer season league.
While he does quit publish positioning typically because of the lack of weight, he’s nonetheless a affected person defender that has fast bounce and nice timing. While one of the best shot blockers are sometimes nice because of their measurement, there’s an artwork to rejecting an opponent.
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Holmgren boats a 7-foot-6 wingspan that enables him to be disruptive in passing lanes as a defender to earn steals, but additionally makes use of that size to dam photographs. Whether it’s towards the man he’s guarding or as a weakside shot blocker, Holmgren can do all of it.
Through 5 video games in NBA Summer League, he produced practically three blocks per contest. The upside on that finish is tough to overlook.
Between blocking photographs, altering them and forcing opposing offenses to not shoot in the paint altogether, Holmgren might enhance an already strong Thunder protection this upcoming season as a rookie.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link