Despite being an unquestionable driving force in the recent title run for the OKC Thunder, Chet Holmgren regularly finds himself catching strays from NBA media.
Whether it's unknowingly, like the way-too-late mentioning of his potential to be a first-time All-Star this coming season, or in an outspoken manner, such as when Craig Carton called his recent $239 million extension the "dumbest contract ever signed in the history of the NBA," the big man is consistently being undervalued and disrespected.
The latest example of the media's lack of love for Holmgren came on Thursday morning, when CBS Sports' Colin Ward-Henninger shared his prediction for Team USA's 2028 Olympic men's basketball roster. Insultingly enough, the soon-to-be junior's name was nowhere to be found.
Thunder big Chet Holmgren omitted from Olympic basketball prediction
From returners to newcomers, 12 total players were found listed on Ward-Henninger's predicted roster, and, by the looks of it, there are opportunities for fans of all different organizations to be insulted.
For the Thunder's faithful followers, one could make the case that there are two if they wished to include the misspelling of Jalen Williams' name (spelled as Jaylin), but, frankly, there's really only one specific complaint -- the omission of Holmgren.
The three center options mentioned on the predicted roster are Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, and Joel Embiid. To say all should be viewed as preferable targets over Chet in three years' time is quite egregious.
Not only are they all substantially older than the Thunder big, with Davis being roughly nine years his senior, but, considering his ongoing injury concerns, there's a world in which Embiid literally ends his playing career by the time the 2028 games come about.
Holmgren, meanwhile, is not-so-quietly establishing himself as one of the best young talents the league has to offer.
On top of already being anointed a literal championship-winner, Holmgren is undeniably one of the game's most electrifying two-way frontcourt players.
Right out of the gates in his rookie season, he became the first person in NBA history to record 150+ blocks, 150+ assists, and 100+ three-pointers made in a single year.
On top of this, through two active years in the association (red-shirted his 2022-23 campaign due to injury), he boasts stellar all-around averages of 16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and 37.2 percent from distance.
Now, as he prepares for his junior go-around, he's already being tabbed as a realistic threat to take home the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025-26.
The most amazing part about Holmgren, however, is that even with all of these accomplishments and projected accolades, at only 23 years old, he hasn't even hit his prime. By the time 2028 rolls around, he should only be entering into it, whereas all the big men predicted to take part in the Olympic games will be at the tail end of theirs.
Yet, despite all these truths, he's not believed to be worthy of being selected to Team USA's roster.
When will the Holmgren hate end?!