The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are two of the most exciting young teams in the NBA right now, and it's no accident that both are anchored by generational big men. Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama aren’t just redefining what it means to be a modern center - they’re doing it while leading their teams to real success in a loaded Western Conference.
Naturally, the comparisons have been nonstop. They're both tall, lanky, highly skilled, and still just scratching the surface of their potential. But the debate over who’s better isn’t just fan chatter anymore - it’s starting to seep into conversations among former players and analysts, too.
Enter Udonis Haslem, three-time NBA champion and now a voice of experience on NBA on Prime. When asked about this year’s Defensive Player of the Year race, Haslem didn’t hesitate to give his nod to Holmgren. The rookie big man is averaging 1.6 blocks per game, but Haslem pointed beyond the box score.
“He's fifth in blocked shots, the team is third in steals,” Haslem said. “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 Caruso to be aggressive, J-Dub (Jalen Williams). All these guys can be aggressive when you have that guy on the back row.”
It’s a great point - Holmgren’s presence in the paint gives OKC’s perimeter defenders the green light to gamble a bit more, knowing they’ve got a 7-footer with elite timing and instincts behind them. That kind of trust in a rim protector changes the entire defensive dynamic.
Blake Griffin, Haslem’s co-host and a former All-Star himself, couldn’t help but point out that the take was bound to stir up the ongoing Holmgren vs. Wembanyama debate. Haslem laughed it off, saying he wasn’t looking for smoke - but he might’ve just added some fuel to the fire anyway.
Because if we’re talking rim protection and defensive impact, Wembanyama has a pretty strong case of his own. He’s averaging 2.7 blocks per game - nearly double Holmgren’s mark - and his mere presence in the paint alters shots, deters drives, and gives his teammates the same kind of defensive freedom.
Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, and Dylan Harper have all benefited from Wemby’s ability to erase mistakes and shut down the paint. Just like Holmgren, Wembanyama makes life easier for everyone around him - and he’s doing it while putting up monster numbers.
And here’s the kicker: the Spurs have had the Thunder’s number this season. San Antonio has taken three out of four matchups against OKC, which adds another layer to the conversation. Wembanyama’s impact isn’t just theoretical - he’s helping his team win head-to-head battles against one of the West’s top squads.
So who’s the better defender? Who’s the more impactful player right now?
The truth is, both Holmgren and Wembanyama are already elite - and they’re only getting better. The fact that we’re even having this debate in their rookie seasons says a lot about how special these two are.
The league’s future is in good hands. And if you’re a fan of defense, versatility, and big men who play like guards, you’re going to love watching this rivalry unfold for years to come.