The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are making serious noise in the Western Conference, and at the heart of both teams’ surges are two of the most exciting young big men the NBA has seen in years: Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama.
It’s no surprise fans are constantly comparing the two. They’re both lanky, skilled, elite rim protectors with guard-like fluidity-essentially unicorns in sneakers. And while debates over who’s better are inevitable, what’s becoming increasingly clear is that each player is transforming his team’s defensive identity in real time.
Three-time NBA champion Udonis Haslem recently weighed in on the conversation, and he’s throwing some love Holmgren’s way-particularly on the defensive end. Speaking on NBA on Prime, Haslem said he’d give the Defensive Player of the Year award to Holmgren, who’s currently averaging 1.6 blocks per game. But for Haslem, it’s not just about the stat line-it’s about the ripple effect Holmgren creates on the floor.
“He’s fifth in blocked shots, the team is third in steals,” Haslem pointed out. “But the thing about them being third in steals is that Chet’s not gonna get those steals, but he’s gonna allow Cason Wallace to be aggressive, he’s gonna allow (Alex) Caruso to be aggressive, J-Dub (Jalen Williams). All these guys can be aggressive when you have that guy on the back row.”
That kind of defensive anchor-someone who doesn’t just protect the rim but empowers perimeter defenders to take risks-is gold in today’s NBA. Holmgren’s presence gives OKC’s guards the green light to jump passing lanes and apply pressure, knowing they’ve got a 7-foot safety net behind them.
But Haslem’s praise didn’t come without a little friendly fire. Co-host Blake Griffin joked that the take might “pour a little gasoline on the Chet versus Wemby fire.”
“I don’t want smoke,” Haslem laughed.
Still, it’s hard not to draw parallels. Because if we’re talking about defensive anchors who alter the geometry of the court, Wembanyama is doing that in San Antonio on a nightly basis.
He’s averaging 2.7 blocks per game-nearly double Holmgren’s total-and his impact is just as profound. His shot-blocking presence has given guys like Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, and Dylan Harper the freedom to play aggressively on the perimeter, knowing Wemby is lurking behind.
So while Haslem’s argument for Holmgren is valid, it’s just as applicable to Wembanyama. Both of these young stars are redefining what it means to be a modern big-long, mobile, and instinctive defenders who don’t just protect the paint, but elevate the entire defense around them.
And if you're looking at head-to-head results, the Spurs have had the upper hand so far this season, winning three of their four matchups against the Thunder. But in the bigger picture, this isn’t just about who’s better right now-it’s about how both Holmgren and Wembanyama are shaping the future of the league.
The league hasn't seen a rookie big man rivalry like this in a long time. And the best part? We’re just getting started.