![]() ![]() ![]() “But my mentality is just to keep going and see how far I can take it.” “It's a great accomplishment and it shows a lot of Oklahoma kids that it can be done,” Waters said. But by the end of his second season, Waters was part of the Thunder’s rotation in must-win games. It was a feel-good story when the Thunder signed Lindy Waters III, who grew up in Norman and played at Norman North and Oklahoma State.“I can't stop smiling, man,” Aaron Wiggins said before his exit interview.View Gallery: Oklahoma City Thunder hold season ending press conferences Thunder tip-ins More: 'He's making Hamilton his': How Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's hometown shaped him “From Day 1, I decided it's in my best interest to turn it into a blessing.” “When I got hurt, I could have either let this be a blessing or a curse,” he said. If things go according to plan, Holmgren won’t have to wait much longer. “We all know I love to play basketball, and that's just me thinking forward to when I'm able to play again,” Holmgren said when asked about the post. ![]() The 20-year-old from Minneapolis created quite a stir last month when he posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the caption “Free 7.” Holmgren didn’t say if playing in Summer League will be part of that plan.īut clearly he’s ready to get back on the court. He’ll split time between Oklahoma City and Los Angeles. This offseason, Holmgren said he’ll follow the plan laid out to him by the Thunder’s coaches, trainers and medical staff. But Chet being a rim protector, you know he's going to clean a lot of stuff at the rim, and that's one thing I'm really looking forward to.” “(Jaylin Williams) did a great job having my back, taking all those charges he did. “I'm doing everything I can do on the ball, but sometimes I'm defending great players and sometimes it happens, you get beat,” Dort said. More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took haymaker from Timberwolves, but OKC Thunder star kept swinging With Lu Dort being the Thunder’s point-of-attack defender, he and Holmgren could form quite the defensive duo - alongside other plus defenders in Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. I think because of that he's going to be a heck of a basketball player.” Like he wants to be really good and he wants to prove himself to the world. “The kid wants to be good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. He’ll be a new partner for Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey to play with in pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop actions.ĭefensively, Holmgren should step in on Day 1 and be the Thunder’s best rim protector and rebounder - two areas in which OKC could use the help. Offensively, Holmgren projects as a 7-foot, floor-spacing center who can also put the ball on the floor and create for himself and others. “I had a front-row seat to the class of getting buckets every night, watching Shai go out there, and all the other dudes, too,” Holmgren said. “It was great for me to be able to watch how other teams play different styles, different personnel,” Holmgren said, “and really pick up as much as I can from that and kind of take down all the knowledge so I can use it going forward.” He already knows what life in the NBA is like. Holmgren will have a competitive edge over his rookie classmates next season. Holmgren traveled with the Thunder on most of its road trips, working out before the games in what became a bit of a spectacle at away arenas. More: OKC Thunder exit interviews: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey & Co. “I'm pretty much past the rehab part of this journey,” Holmgren said, “and now I'm progressing more into the 5-on-5 stuff and kind of taking away any restrictions that I have to this point.” 2 pick in the 2022 draft will make his NBA debut.Īfter suffering a Lisfranc injury in his right foot in a pro-am game last summer, Holmgren underwent surgery that sidelined him for the entirety of what would have been his rookie season. Holmgren dribbled the ball on his way out of the press room, a sight and sound that will be much anticipated heading into next season, when the Thunder’s No. Watch Video: Watch: OKC Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren gives update on foot injuryĬhet Holmgren carried a basketball into his exit interview Saturday, and he kept it in his lap as he answered questions ranging from his injury rehab process to being bad at cards - a fact Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spilled. ![]()
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