Who has the most pressure to perform for the OKC Thunder?
By Rylan Stiles
The OKC Thunder used their 2nd overall pick on Chet Holmgren in the 2022 NBA Draft, and the Gonzaga product will be heavily dissected as a rookie this season
The Oklahoma City Thunder were able to capture two Lottery picks during the NBA Draft Lottery, and while the Clippers’ pick owed to OKC stayed pat at 12, the Thunder’s own pick leaped to the second slot. This brought excitement back to Bricktown basketball and people were enamored with what would happen on Draft day. As discussed before, Presti is one for the theatrics, surprises, and upside swings.
The OKC Thunder not only used those two lottery picks on draft night but traded for a third lottery selection. Though, of course, all eyes were on that second overall pick which ended up being Chet Holmgren.
light. Related Story. Chet Holmgren is betting on himself
This was a match made in heaven. Not only did Holmgren himself prefers to play for Oklahoma City, but standout Thunder guard Josh Giddey hoped the team would pick Holmgren, and most importantly, this was Sam Presti’s target all along.
Being a top pick comes with built-in pressure to pan out. You are viewed as an instant franchise cornerstone, a savior. Though Chet Holmgren has even more pressure placed on him due to his national perception.
As a 7’1 center that weighs 190 pounds and plays like a guard, the league has already questioned how he will match up with NBA-caliber bigs night in and night out. Even during NBA Summer League, each defensive possession for Holmgren was heavily criticized, and clips were taken out of context, and judgments were made based on how he matched up with *checks notes* Kenny Lofton Jr.
In the same breath, the Gonzaga product also showed flashes of brilliance during Summer Leauge, including a fantastic debut in the Salt Lake City circuit which proved to the world why the Thunder bet on him. Even earning him praise from Former-Thunder standout Kevin Durant.
Get ready for every time someone posts up the rookie to be spewed all over social media with each post-up action Holmgren is put into on the defensive end.
Tack on the fact Josh Giddey spoiled us with his dominance a season ago earning every Western Conference Rookie of the Month award he was eligible for, Holmgren will be held to a high standard.
I fully expect the young center to have a massive impact as a rookie, make unbelievable plays, and be in the running for Rookie of the Year, but with that comes pressure.