With January winding down, NBA All-Star buzz is officially in full swing. The starters are locked in, and while there was some debate around the final spots, most selections followed expectations.
One player who’s left little room for argument is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - his play this season has been undeniable. But now, Oklahoma City is turning its attention to another rising star: Chet Holmgren.
Holmgren’s All-Star case is a bit more nuanced. He doesn’t have the eye-popping scoring numbers that typically grab headlines, but when you dig into what he brings to the floor - especially on the defensive end - the picture becomes a lot clearer.
The Thunder have been one of the league’s top teams all season long, and that kind of success usually earns you multiple All-Star nods. Head coach Mark Daigneault, along with several OKC teammates, have started publicly backing Holmgren’s bid.
Even some opposing coaches are giving him the nod of approval. The message is clear: the Thunder’s dominance isn’t just about Shai - Holmgren’s been a foundational piece of the puzzle.
Jaylin Williams, who’s been alongside Holmgren since they both entered the league as part of that loaded 2022 draft class, didn’t mince words when making his teammate’s case.
“I think he’s an All-Star for sure. Great player.
Elite player on both sides of the ball,” Williams said. “Best rim protector in the league.
He’s one of the few guys that’s 7-foot that can do what he does on offense. We’re the No. 1 team in the league.”
It’s hard to argue with that. Holmgren’s averaging 17.8 points on an efficient 57.1% from the field, pulling down 8.6 rebounds and dishing out 1.6 assists per game.
His shooting touch extends beyond the arc too - he’s hitting 37.6% of his threes on 3.6 attempts per night. And of course, there’s the defense: two blocks per game and a presence in the paint that’s been the backbone of the league’s top-rated defense.
Advanced metrics love him. Whether it’s defensive rating, on/off splits, or impact stats like EPM and RAPTOR, Holmgren consistently shows up as one of the most valuable bigs in the league. He’s not just protecting the rim - he’s anchoring a defense that’s suffocating opponents night in and night out.
The question now is whether voters - coaches, media, and players - will reward that level of impact, even if it doesn’t come with 25 points per game or nightly highlight reels. History suggests players on top-tier teams with elite two-way impact usually get the nod. But with the West loaded with talent, there’s always a chance someone deserving gets squeezed out.
We’ll find out soon enough. All-Star reserves are set to be announced on Sunday, Feb. 1, with the game itself tipping off two weeks later on Feb.
- If Holmgren makes the cut, it’ll be a well-earned recognition of a player who’s doing things few 7-footers - or rookies, for that matter - have ever done.