Things that come with the new-era Oklahoma City Thunder’s ascension is the limelight, endorsement deals, commercials, and things similar. We’ve seen an upswing this season with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC’s bonafide superstar, building on his extracurricular resume, as well as sophomore rising star Jalen Williams and rookie Chet Holmgren’s arrival into the limelight.
Over the last month, the second-youngest team with all the potential in the world is starting to back that claim up; currently in a tussle for the top spot in the Western Conference with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, and defending champion Denver Nuggets.
With that comes SGA becoming a global ambassador for the Canada Goose clothing line and, as of Monday, Chet Holmgren gracing the cover of SLAM Magazine.
On Monday, SLAM Magazine dropped its 30th anniversary edition cover, and Holmgren was the featured athlete.
Chet “Big Dawg” Holmgren, which, for the record, is a lazy nickname if you ask me, recollected his memory of the OG Thunder squad and their rise to contention.
“I remember watching their playoff series back in, like, ’11, ’12, ’13, and everybody’s wearing the same color shirt, screaming [in the stands]… We’re gonna get back to that point,” Holmgren mentioned.
SLAM actually seems to be quite fond of the Thunder, with the starting five gracing the SLAM preview cover in the fall, towards the beginning of the season.
Holmgren in his rookie season is averaging 16.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. Holmgren is battling with San Antonio Spurs freakish big man Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year, but I’m afraid that ship has sailed. However, Holmgren is also fighting for something bigger than Wemby could imagine, at least this year, a legitimate chance of playing a vital role in a playoff run.
