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Miami Heat star Victor Oladipo claimed that rookie Chet Holmgren had no problem guarding 76ers big man Joel Embiid or Nets forward Kevin Durant. Ever since the NBA draft, there have been a lot of rumblings around Holmgren's ability to defend against big men and agile forwards in the league.
Former All-Star Oladipo's revalation will surprise a lot of NBA fans. Oladipo praised Holmgren for how versatile his game is and how he is already able to hang in there with the best of them. While appearing on JJ Reddick's podcast, The Old Man and the Three, Oladipo said the following:
"Someone who has surprised me is Chet Holmgren. Just honestly seeing how really lengthy he is in person and obviously he can score the ball. What's gonna make him crazy is his ability to affect the game other than doing that. Like he can pretty much guard one through 4 pretty much if he uses his length. How versatile he is. He can protect the rim. "
"He is young, light right now. One game he had to guard Joel, next game he guarded Kev. As players, we can respect that especially for a guy who hasn't played in the league yet."
Chet Holmgren will miss the entire 2022-23 NBA season
Chet Holmgren suffered a significant foot injury during a summer pro-am league game. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot.
Holmgren suffered the injury during a game at Jamal Crawford's CrawsOver Pro-Am League. He attempted to block a LeBron James layup in transition, landed awkwardly and limped down the floor after a change of possession.
The team announced in the aftermath that there is no chance of Holmgren playing this season.
Will OKC Thunder look to tank again in order to draft Victor Wembanyama?
With Chet Holmgren set to miss the entire season due to an injury, the Thunder might look to tank again. Ever since the franchise traded away Paul George and Russell Westbrook in the summer of 2018, they have been in a rebuilding phase.
The OKC Thunder tanked last season to acquire a top pick which eventually turned out to be lanky big man Chet Holmgren. With another opportunity to tank and a shot at getting French wonderkid Victor Wembanyama, the Thunder might repeat the act.
A possible lineup of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lou Dort, Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama will definitely be the best young core in the entire league.
