Chet Holmgren takes much of the work for the Oklahoma City Thunder at center position with Isaiah Hartenstein still out of the line-up but it is not much of a problem for him, even if he had to deal with skilled and strong big men of the Houston Rockets.
The second year pro co-top scored for the Thunder with 29 points to will them to a dominant 126-107 victory against the visiting Rockets.
He matched up against Alperen Sengun who was minus 11 in the night with 11 points and nine rebounds. From the bench was Steven Adams who scored 5 points and was minus 11, too.
How Holmgren will match-up with Adams was once storyline looked at before the game because of his lanky frame against Adams recognized as the strongest in the league.
The young center, predicted to be among top DPOY contenders this season, performed well against Kiwi veteran. How did he do it?
Holmgren recognized that Adams is “super strong” but what he took advantage of was his gentleness.
“He just moves you, super gently, there’s nothing you can really do about it. It’s a different type of strong.”
It should be mentioned, too, that he is more agile than the 11-year veteran.
Chet Holmgren’s physical strength is not to be underestimated
Holmgren might have scrawny physique but he has shown time and again that he is one of the league’s heaviest even if this is just his second season.
He showed it at Thunder’s opening night when he matched up with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
The Thunder won and coach Mark Daigneault said it is a testament to his player’s accelerated growth and dedication to learn the game.
“I think just thinking back a year ago where he was physically and then where he is now. I mean he just went minute-to-minute with Jokic who is incredibly physically especially off the ball, on the glass, stuff like that,” he said.
“And really did not flinch, got stronger during the game. And huge credit to him we all know he is a great player. But I think the physical step that he has taken is way better.”
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