Chet Holmgren still posts double-double in 'so-so' second showing in Summer League
The NBA's Summer League is all about overreactions. What can be truly learned in a glorified scrimmage between young players straight out of the draft and fringe players trying to show up on film?
Past Summer League MVPs include players like Josh Hart, Damian Lillard, John Wall and Blake Griffin. Others on the MVP list are Tyus Jones, Kyle Anderson and Glen Rice Jr., though.
Summer League success is not an exact science.
That's why most league experts would tell you to pump the breaks if you're anointing Chet Holmgren the second-coming after his first Summer League showing, a game that saw him put up 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and six blocks for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Conversely, it's not wise to get down on the No. 2 overall pick after a so-so second game in Summer League. The Thunder did beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 87-71, but Holmgren put up "just" 11 points and two blocks on 1-of-6 shooting from three. He did notch 12 rebounds, qualifying him for a double-double, but his lack of bulk in the post was exploited a few times.
Holmgren went No. 2 overall because most NBA scouts consider him a "unicorn." It's extremely rare to find a 7-foot-1 big man with his wingspan who can be a lockdown defender while still being a threat on the offensive end — especially from the outside thanks to a smooth shooting touch.
Questions about Holmgren's ultimate ceiling won't be answered anytime soon and again, most reactions from the Summer League are overreactions.
Still, if we're considering an 11-point, 12-rebound night a "poor" game, Holmgren is going to be just fine.
More must-reads: