Right out of the gates in his professional playing career, OKC Thunder big man Chet Holmgren proved himself to be an incredibly special talent.
From becoming the first player in league history to record 150+ blocks, 150+ assists, and 100+ three-pointers made in a single season during his rookie campaign to setting the record for most blocks (five) recorded in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals this past year, the 23-year-old has undoubtedly established himself as a rising stud in the association.
However, despite his impressive accomplishments thus far, there's evidence that suggests Holmgren frequently finds himself being discredited or downplayed by keyboard warriors and pundits alike.
Whether it's concerns over his potential to be a trusty third offensive option next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, or claims of him being overpaid this summer after signing his new $250 million max extension, it's obvious that the soon-to-be junior still hasn't convinced the masses that he's on the cusp of stardom.
Never was this more apparent than during a recent edition of The Athletic NBA Daily podcast, where the crew actively discussed their picks for which players they believe could wind up being selected to their first All-Star appearance during the upcoming season and, borderline disrespectfully, took a painfully long time to even mention Holmgren.
Thunder stud seemingly an afterthought in 'first time All-Star' debate
In a mock draft-like format, players were selected by the perceived likelihood that they'll be named All-Stars in 2025-26.
On the big board, guys like Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, and Jalen Johnson were quickly highlighted as potential shoo-in first-timers for the illustrious exhibition, while Amen Thompson and Ivica Zubac rounded out the top-five picks.
It wasn't until the sixth slot that Holmgren's name was uttered.
What's especially troubling to note about his slip in this particular activity is the fact that he objectively has a higher upside than all the players that went before him.
Everything that today's game celebrates in a big man, Holmgren possesses.
At seven feet tall, he can score from all three levels on the hardwood (averages 16.1 points for his career on 51.9/37.2/78.0 shooting splits) and can defend virtually every position thanks to his length and mobility. Incredibly enough, this past season he held opponents to roughly 54 percent shooting from the restricted area, which, as host Andrew Schlecht put it, is "just crazy."
Before going down with his right iliac wing fracture last year, Holmgren seemed to be playing a like a lock for the All-Star Game, as he was posting ridiculous averages of 18.2 points on 51.9 percent shooting from the floor and 40.0 percent shooting from distance through nine fully-healthy games.
Sadly, his hip ailment sidelined him for three months of action, thus making him ineligible for the exhibition, and, as Schlecht noted, even following his return, it appeared that "he was still in recovery mode."
Now with a full offseason of rest and rehabilitation, the hope is that he can get back to this level of early-season production and sustain it for a full 82 games.
Already boasting high-end odds of taking home the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award, barring injury, he should have equal, if not better chances of heading to Los Angeles for the mid-season festivities.
The fact that he went sixth in an activity such as this is truly absurd. Hopefully, Holmgren will clearly prove this with his play this coming season.