Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren did not have the best performance during the Western Conference finals series against the San Antonio Spurs. The former Gonzaga star was expected to step up since the Thunder's second-best star, Jalen Williams, dealt with nagging injuries. Unfortunately for OKC, Holmgren did not live up to the expectation, and he was heavily criticized for it.
Through the seven games they played against the Spurs, he averaged 10.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on 27.3% shooting from deep. Holmgren had a different performance in the first two rounds of the postseason.
Against the Phoenix Suns in the opening round, he averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. In the second-round against the Los Angeles Lakers, the big man contributed 20.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.
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On Wednesday, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch offered his thoughts on the criticism that Holmgren has received from the media. Finch started with the Timberwolves forward, Julius Randle, who also dealt with flak from the press.
"Julius was really good for us in the Denver series," Finch said on KFAN1003. "He did a great job in a lot of the things that don't measure in the stat sheet.
"The criticism around -- now we see it, 'Chet Holmgren was no good.' I can't stand these overreactions and these strays. … I don't listen to it. I turn my TV off in the morning during the playoffs. I don't want to hear it. It ruins my enjoyment of the game."
Despite his subpar performance against the Spurs, Holmgren is still viewed as a valued member of the Thunder. After they lost in the conference finals, general manager Sam Presti offered his support of the 24-year-old star.
Sam Presti is "Not Concerned" With Chet Holmgren's Display Against the Spurs
While the criticism about Holmgren poured in after they were eliminated, Presti stood by the Thunder star's side and defended him. He had high praise for what the young star has achieved in his third season. The executive praised how he became an All-Star, a member of the All-NBA third team and finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year.
"This is a guy that is intrinsically motivated," said Presti on Monday. "He doesn't need people questioning him or things on the internet to drive his improvement. He doesn't need somebody to nudge him, he doesn't need somebody to question him. It's just kind of how he's wired. So I'm not really that concerned about him."
Additionally, Presti stated that Holmgren "fits" the Thunder. He also expressed complete faith in the NBA player's ability to overcome the criticism he experienced following his difficulties in the conference finals.
