Only Michael Jordan and 2 Other Hall of Famers Stand Between Chet Holmgren in Gaining NBA Rookie Supremacy in the Past 50 Years

The Oklahoma City Thunder‘s center Chet Holmgren has shown remarkable performance this season, and could very well be a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year title. He is a superior rim protector when it comes to positioning and timing, and his playmaking skills with an insane shooting ability make him a threat on the court. The 21-year-old star has averaged 17.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, which are impressive stats for a rookie.

While most rookies take time to ease into the big leagues, Chet is already churning out the big numbers, and he is especially effective on offense, scoring from all three levels and possessing top-notch defensive metrics. What is most impressive about Chet is that he is already catching up to Michael Jordan‘s rookie year BPM.

Chet Holmgren’s name among a list of Hall of Famers

Rubbing shoulders with MJ, Chet (5.3) has been ranked fourth in the rookie box plus-minus (BPM) for the past fifty years. MJ leads the list in the first position with 7.3 BPM. Chet is separated from the six-time NBA Champion by David Robinson (6.9) and Arvydas Sabonis (6.7) in the second and third positions, respectively, both of whom are Hall of Famers along with MJ. It is also interesting to note that in the list, the top 15 players are either current Hall of Famers or are on their way to becoming one.

This speaks volumes about the impact Chet has on the court. He is already skilled at loud actions, such as handling the ball, blocking shots, and getting buckets, unlike most rookies. And if anything, that is an excellent starting point. One could even say he is an exceptional floor and ceiling raiser thanks to his insane positional advantages and his ability to read the game. However, despite his accomplishments, Chet chooses to remain humble and focused.

It’s not yet time to celebrate

Chet told reporters that he still hasn’t proven anything and that he still has a long way to go. “I’ve played 30 games. Still got a long way to go on that one,” the rookie said. He works well as a complementary piece for star players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but shouldn’t be mistaken as just a mere sidekick. Chet has a rhythm of his own and is equally good when he plays without SGA.

In addition to being incredibly valuable, versatile, and scalable next to a wide range of superstars, Chet has proven himself as a player who is very easy to build around and with because of his dynamic nature. If he keeps up this consistency, it won’t be hard to imagine his name in the All-Star contention list.

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What are your expectations from Chet Holmgren this season? Will he be able to outrun Victor Wembanyama for the RoTY title? Let us know in the comments below!

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