The most notable moment was when Holmgren blocked Nikola Jokic and followed it up with a bad poster dunk at the other end. Holmgren completely outplayed reigning MVP Jokic, who is considered by many to be the best player in the world, in the Thunder’s final game. Nuggets’ 102-87 defeat.

Last season, Holmgren turned over to SGA and Jalen Williams, the Thunder’s two leading scorers, and scored most of his points in the flow of the offense. That meant keeping an eye out for threes, clearing the glass for putbacks, or cutting to block misdirections and screens.

But this season, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault is making a concerted effort to keep the plays of Holmgren, who took plenty of touches around the basket and finished with 18 points in the paint on Thursday. In contrast, what the 2 meter tall man did only 2.3 shots per game Last season, most of his shots in the paint, around the restricted area, were either alley-oops or dunks.

Holmgren was also a monster on defense. Conducted 11 two-point field goals Denver is at the rim and counts four blocks. To put things in perspective, no player on either team could contest even six two-point field goals.

It was clear that Holmgren wasn’t shying away from contact at both ends of the floor. The 22-year-old player owed his newfound physical strength to the weight he gained in the off-season.

All signs point to Holmgren catapulting to superstardom this season. He’s almost ready to make the All-Star team, and it would be a travesty if he doesn’t make the All-Defensive team.