Former Thunder guard talks truth behind viral Chet Holmgren training videos

Following a sensational rookie campaign in 2023-24, OKC Thunder big man Chet Holmgren has regularly been seen putting in serious sweat-inducing work throughout the offseason as he looks to build upon his momentum.

Since being eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in round two of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the former second-overall selection has consistently had his behind-the-scenes recorded workouts go viral on social media, with his most recent one involving him running scrimmages with established All-Stars like Kevin Durant and Trae Young.

Already a proven commodity on an up-and-coming, title-hopeful team, the goal for Holmgren heading into year two is to continue his path toward elite status and become a set-it-and-forget-it second option on a championship favorite.

To former Thunder guard Raymond Felton, these clips show that he's been putting in the work to become Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's right-hand man, as he explained on a recent episode of his and Theo Pinson's podcast, To The Baha, that finding that number two option in Loud City is imperative to this Thunder team's ascension up the title totem pole.

Chet Holmgren putting in work to be number two option on Thunder

Looking at how the roster is currently constructed for OKC, Felton noted that the two obvious candidates to take on the second-in-command role within the rotation are Holmgren and fellow 2022 NBA Draft alumni, Jalen Williams.

While J-Dub was the second-leading scorer on the team during their recent 57-win, top-seeded campaign at 19.1 points on 14.0 attempts per night, based on Holmgren's recorded offseason sessions, it seems the big is looking good enough to officially be branded with the enviable moniker.

"It ain't about competing against each other, it's about stepping your game up to the next level. Obviously, you guys are still teammates, and I think they do a great job of playing well together, but somebody still has to step up and say 'I'm number two.' Who's that going to be? Chet looks great. He's working hard and he's getting himself ready," Felton said.

In just his first season of action (was red-shirted during his technical first year in 2022-23 due to a Lisfranc injury that required season-ending surgery prior to opening night), Holmgren established himself as a legitimate two-way frontcourt nightmare.

Through 82 games played the big man posted sensational averages of 16.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks on 53.0 percent shooting from the floor and 37.0 percent shooting from distance. As a result, he would go on to be named to the All-Rookie First-Team and finished second in the running for Rookie of the Year.

Now Holmgren enters a season where many are expecting him to take the next step forward on his journey to stardom. What said step may be is up for debate, but, to Felton, becoming the Robin to SGA's Batman could be the most impactful task, as he and Pinson believe that if the big man can play at an even higher level than what he did in 2023-23, the Thunder are going to be absolutely "scary."