Thunder GM Defends Chet Holmgren, Praises SGA
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- Sam Presti defended Chet Holmgren as an "underdog" and a franchise pillar after the Thunder's playoff loss.
- Chet Holmgren saw his scoring drop to 10.7 points per game in the seven‑game series versus San Antonio, down from 17.1 PPG in the regular season, and made only three 3‑pointers in the final four games.
- Chet Holmgren earned first‑time All‑Star honors, placed second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and was named third‑team All‑NBA, with Presti saying his motivation is intrinsic, not driven by external criticism.
- Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander faced criticism for foul drawing, but Presti defended him, noting he plays against five defenders plus social media and praised his two‑ended play, defense, and durability.
Why it matters: Presti's backing bolsters Holmgren’s confidence and reasserts his role as a key defensive and offensive asset, while shielding Gilgeous‑Alexander from media backlash and preserving team cohesion.
