Patrick Beverly Says Thunder's Chet Holmgren Is Praised Around NBA
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a solid NBA draft, bringing in Cason Wallace with pick No. 10 last week. However, the Thunder will have another surprise beyond their two draft picks, as Chet Holmgren will finally be able to make his NBA debut come October.
Picked with pick No. 2 in the 2022 NBA Draft, Holmgren was atop the Thunder's big board, and they would have selected him even if they had the top overall pick.
When the Thunder draft prospects, they draft more than a basketball player with high upside. They also draft personalities. If a player is hard working and highly motivated, they're much more likely to pan out as a talent.
Sam Presti must have seen that in Holmgren. As a 7-footer with great defensive instincts and a good jump shot, Holmgren has the upside as a prospect and is a great fit with the Thunder's current system.
However, the talent upside and good fit is only half the reason Holmgren will be special in Oklahoma City. Patrick Beverly, who played with the Chicago Bulls this past season, took to his podcast and had high praise for the upcoming rookie.
“I’ve been speaking to some guys around the league and I’ve been asking about him and their response has been this, ‘Hey Pat, he’s going to be nice,'” Beverley said on his podcast. “Not because of his size. Not because of his talent. Because of his attitude… He don’t duck (crap). He ain’t scared (of crap). He tough. That’s what’s going to keep you in the NBA… He going to be challenged every game but they say he likes to go right back at (opposing players) and I respect that.”
After suffering a season-ending injury before last season, Holmgren remained positive and optimistic of his future. He and the team were confident for a full one comeback, and we may get a chance to see that in Summer League.
This attitude that Holmgren holds will allow him, and his teammates, to progress as young prospects and reach new heights as a team. If Holmgren has this mentality, he will be able to challenge his teammates and establish a culture to overcome any obstacle they may face.
Beverly has a persona around the league as an incredible worker. Fans can see it when Beverly is on the court. He's never the most talented or the biggest player on the court, yet his gritty mentality allows him to play with the biggest and best players on the floor.
So, for Beverly to give Holmgren this kind of praise means something and should hold actual weight in the Holmgren development discourse.
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