Before Chet Holmgren Was Drafted, Famed Analyst Had a Different Opinion About Particular Centers: 'They’re Disasters'

“I have been so hard over the last years on white, American centers being taken in the lottery,” Bayless said. “Anybody seven foot and above, who’s white and American. I can just show you, chapter and verse, they’re disasters.”

“You know why? All they got is that they’re seven-foot-one. That’s all they got. But they can’t play basketball… The Euro centers, Joker and we can just go on back to Valanciunas and all the way back to Sabonis’ dad. The point is, the white, American centers have been disasters until I saw this video… this kid named [Chet] Holmgren.”

“He could jump, like quick jump, and he was long and beanpole skinny, but he could run. His shot is textbook, pure stroke… I;m saying, ‘Hey, that kid can play’.”

Bayless expressed his admiration for Holmgren’s skill in his first two seasons. Last season, he was the runner-up behind Victor Wembanyama for the Rookie of the Year award.

Chet Holmgren to be sidelined for at least 10 weeks

Chet Holmgren is an important part of the Thunder’s early season success. Unfortunately for Holmgren, he suffered a fractured hip on Sunday’s 127-118 loss against the Golden State Warriors. During their game, the big man tried to block Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins’ layup attempt. But the hit sent him tumbling to the ground, and his teammates brought him to the locker room.

According to the team, Holmgren suffered a right iliac wing fracture and will miss at least ten weeks of action. On X, the Thunder player addressed his recent injury and thanked those who sent messages.

“Can’t tell if I feel better or worse about this having been through something similar before. On one hand I know how to approach it, I know what to do, what not to do and how beautiful the other side is,” Holmgren said. “…Don’t pity me or feel bad, there’s lots of people out there rn with real problems that don’t heal. Anyways excuse my rambling just wanted to address our okc fans and family

Thoughts from da hospital bed.”

Through the first ten games, Chet Holmgren is averaging 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.