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Chet Holmgren looked poised to make an impact in the NBA last season. With his beyond-the arc shooting and thanks to his superb shot-blocking skills, he was looking formidable. Sadly, his hopes were briefly dashed when he hurt his foot in a Seattle Pro-Am game in August 2022, necessitating three surgeries and a full season of sitting on the sidelines. However, the former Gonzaga star made the most of his downtime and used it well to return even more prepared than before.

The 20-year-old showed off his better form and newly acquired bulky muscles during the OKC Thunder’s summer league. His performances in the league gave a tantalizing preview of the destruction the No. 2 pick in 2022 could wreak on the court during the upcoming NBA season. And most recently, he sat down with Kevin Garnett to discuss his upcoming season. He also revealed his excitement about playing alongside his 25 YO teammate.

Chet Holmgren is back in the league

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Chet Holmgren recently revealed how he perceived his injury last year. He used his downtime to develop new insights. He?also revealed that he was excited to be playing alongside his teammate, Shaivonte Aician Gilgeous-Alexander.

via Imago

He said, “Man it’s gonna make my job easier, you know. Playing with somebody that uh that’s got that talent and that ability you know. His gravity on the court yeah it’s huge.”

The young player made a name for himself during his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers, earning the honor of joining the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2019. But it was his trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder that helped him reach his greatest potential.

Read More: ?Bro, You F***ing Blocking Everything?: Chet Holmgren Gets Massive Praise From $125,000,000 Worth Celtics Legend

Alexander had a noticeable effect during his debut year with OKC. Fans were thrilled by his game-reading skills, which led to fast break opportunities and great stats. In the 2019?20 season, Alexander established himself as one of the league’s up-and-coming stars with an average of 19 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

He continued, “All five dudes on the other team are gonna be worried about him. So you know it’s gonna open things up for me uh as well as my other teammates uh. You know he’s just a great dude too so uh you know it’s gonna be fun.

The coming together of the duo of Alexander and Holmgren could just be the beginning of a new era for the Thunder.

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Light in Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder seem to be a team on the rise going into the upcoming 2023 NBA season. The Thunder’s frontcourt receives a huge boost with the return of Chet Holmgren, the highly anticipated rookie who missed the entire previous season due to injuries. With his flexibility, shot-blocking proficiency, and offensive skills, many have their eyes set on him.

Furthermore boosting their starting lineup is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort. The team has a strong foundation with Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance from last season as well as Dort’s defensive strength and three-point shooting. In addition, the Thunder now have an interesting blend of youthful talent with the signing of Cason Wallace, the No. 10 overall choice in the 2023 NBA Draft.

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The team has made wise moves in free agency, adding veteran players like Victor Oladipo, Davis Bertans, and Patty Mills to their potential starting lineup. The addition of these players aids in the development of the young core, offering priceless experience and scoring alternatives off the bench. Additionally, Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams, who were both strong candidates for the Rookie of the Year award last season, have already demonstrated remarkable potential. With a strong roster, the Thunder may just surprise many in the league this season.