THIS Is What Makes Chet Holmgren SPECIAL

In a preview of what’s to come for the Thunder this season, Josh Giddy has the ball up top and Chet Holmgren goes to set the high pick.
And even tho it wasn’t the smoothest execution you see the principles. The big man drops to protect the drive, while the number 2 pick pops out at the three point line.
You see all this space for a 39.0% shooter from downtown and he splashes this 3.
Just check out this statline: 23 PTS / 7 REB / 4 AST / 6 BLK which ended up being a summer league record.
Chet Holmgren dazzled in his first unofficial game for OKC and he showed us some of the things we can expect from him.
So let’s go through it and break it down. What up everybody, my name is Stefan and this is Heat Check. Let’s get into it.
We’ll talk about the offense but as I’m watching him for the first time, I love what I see from Holmgren on the defensive end.
Check out this possession. On the pick and roll, at 7 feet or 2.16 he’s in drop coverage but his size and length cause hesitation for the ball handler, all while keeping an eye on the roll man, so when the big man gets the pass, even tho it’s down low, Chet’s length protect the basket and he can stay patient and not bite on this pump fake, so ultimately he blocks this shot.
Right here he’s matched up on the perimeter but his unique combination of size and speed allow him to stay with the much quicker guard, and watch the seamless switch to cover the paint and you see there’s no way of getting it over his long arms as Holmgren gets another block.
And follow him here as he first helps to contain the drive and gets back to his man, but he sees what’s happening on the other side, so on the penetration Chet is going to step out to protect the basket and check out this spectacular rejection. It looks even better in this slow mo shot.
And it’s not often that you see Tacko Fall getting his shot blocked, but Chet did that in his first game.
Something that’s also extremely rare is blocking a fadeaway shot, my goodness, great block but then look at the ball handling in transition as he finds Williams for the finish.
And this is where we get to his offense.
Look at how comfortable he is with the ball in his hands. Stops with the behind the back dribble, and raises up from downtown. This was so smooth.
Again same thing, accelerates and then stops on a dime, behind the back, fires away and knocks it down. You can already hear the comparisons with another guy who wears number 7 in the league.
Especially on this play. The smooth handles, the spin and the one legged fadeaway that is called the Dirk Nowitzki, but this looked more like the Kevin Durant version of it.
Right here Holmgren gets the ball almost at the logo, and with just 1 dribble this is already a dunk. That’s how crazy long he is.
And finally, you see that he attracts double teams and he uses his size to see over the defender and locate his teammate who’s cutting to the basket, so the great pass, and the dunk.
OKC fans have a lot to be excited about despite the fact that it’s only summer league.
Holmgren is showing flashes of how great he can be for this team, and gives us great content to watch and talk about even in mid July. So I thank him for that.
What was the thing that caught your eye with Holmgren? Let me know in the comments. That’s it for now, subscribe and talk to you in the next one. Peace out.