\Watching the San Antonio Spurs 14-point win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, I got to see two freaks of nature go at it.
Rookies Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren* have a colorful history. If the League lets it happen, Wembanyama vs. Holmgren should develop into the best 1-on-1 rivalry in the NBA.
In three head-to-head matchups, they’ve both put up solid numbers. Wembanyama against OKC is averaging 20 points, 13 rebounds, 4.3 assists and nearly 4 blocks a game. Holmgren vs. San Antonio is at 16.3 points, 7.7 boards, 4 assists and almost 2 blocks a game. It’s about on par with what the two have done all season long.
Wembanyama and Holmgren, no matter who wins, will finish 1-2 in the Rookie of the Year race. That led me to ask, “what makes a Rookie of the Year?”
Wembanyama’s case comes in his individual brilliance. He’s doing things very few players have done before. He’s just doing it on one of the worst teams in the League. Watching the Spurs can be very frustrating. Teammates often go for their own instead of looking for the 7-foot-4 Alien. San Antonio color commentator Sean Elliott on Thursday night pointed out how Spurs players lack patience and miss Wembanyama when he’s got a mismatch.
Holmgren’s case is his team is winning. OKC has been near the top of the West all season. Holmgren, MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and forward Jalen Williams make up what might be the best young trio in the League. Holmgren’s play on both ends has more of an impact than Wembanyama’s this season, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he deserves the award.
The two will be joined together for the rest of their careers. Let’s hope they do battle in some big matchups sooner than later.
NBA Power Rankings
1. Boston Celtics
2. Denver Nuggets
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
4. Milwaukee Bucks
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. LA Clippers
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
8. Miami Heat
9. New Orleans Pelicans
10. Phoenix Suns
11. Philadelphia 76ers
12. New York Knicks
13. Orlando Magic
14. Sacramento Kings
15. LA Lakers
16. Golden State Warriors
17. Dallas Mavericks
18. Indiana Pacers
19. Chicago Bulls
20. Houston Rockets
21. Brooklyn Nets
22. Utah Jazz
23. Atlanta Hawks
24. Toronto Raptors
25. Portland Trail Blazers
26. Memphis Grizzlies
27. San Antonio Spurs
28. Charlotte Hornets
29. Detroit Pistons
30. Washington Wizards
