Chet Holmgren Sets the Bar High With Comments on Oklahoma City's Potential

Oklahoma City's No. 2 pick believes this Thunder team can reach new heights, and he might just be right.

Oklahoma City has the attention of the entire NBA after a road win over the Clippers — making it eight wins in the last 10 games.

The team has been battling down the stretch, fighting through off nights and finding different ways to win. On Tuesday night, Isaiah Joe’s 12 points off the bench were critical, and Lu Dort’s defense on the final possession saved the game. Both guards impacted the game in opposite, but meaningful ways.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams starred, which has become the norm as of late. SGA poured in 31 points, while Williams added 20 points and eight rebounds.

The craziest part about the Thunder’s late-season run? The highest draft pick on the team hasn’t played a second of basketball yet. Chet Holmgren should add another dimension to this team, as his two-way potential is clear. Ramping up his pregame warm-up process has Thunder fans waiting anxiously.

Thunder could be very scary once Chet Holmgren is back 👀 pic.twitter.com/XUYzJ8ySqt

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) March 22, 2023

Holmgren understands he’s a key piece to the puzzle in Oklahoma City’s team structure. In an interview with Complex, he made it very clear that the Thunder’s potential is exceedingly high.

“Obviously I believe in the players we have on this team, I believe in the coaching staff, I believe in the organization as a whole so the answer is an obvious yes,” Holmgren said, when asked if this Thunder core could reach the heights of the Durant/Westbrook/Harden era. 

“I think we can reach really high heights. At the end of the day, it’s going to come down what the guys in the locker decide to come together and achieve,” said the 7-footer.

“It’s not going to be an overnight thing. We’re having early success but just because we’re having success doesn’t make it easy for the next 10 years,” Holmgren said. “We’re still going to have to work hard and work through different challenges. That’s something that we’ll strive to do. We got a lot of high-quality characters in our Thunder locker room so I’m excited to get out there and work with those guys.“

Holmgren is set to return in 2023, ur his jump shot looks as fluid as ever. His development will determine the Thunder’s ceiling moving forward, but the team’s current run is an example of the potential brewing. He’ll be out for revenge on a young, hungry Thunder team in no time.

“I like to always go out and play with a chip on my shoulder regardless of why it’s there," Holmgren said. "I’m definitely more of an underdog next year than I’ve been accustomed to the last few years just with the setback that I’ve had but it’s kind of the 

same demeanor regardless of the situation. I got stuff I’m trying to accomplish and a team I’m trying to help win. That’s what I got to focus on.”

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