‘No ego’: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reveals what makes Chet Holmgren Thunder’s X-Factor originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Adjustment is the name of the game when it comes to a pivotal Game 5 in the NBA Playoffs. The San Antonio Spurs have already figured out the Oklahoma City Thunder which means Coach Mark Daigneault needs to adjust. One pivotal person that the team led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is Chet Holmgren. The big man has one intangible skill that the two-time NBA MVP really likes.
Gilgeous-Alexander boasts Holmgren’s lack of ego as Thunder’s X-Factor
Game 5 will all come down to whether someone is able to step up for the Thunder. Without a doubt, Coach Mark Daigneault expects Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to come back to his MVP self after a horrendous Game 4 loss. Alongside him, there is also an expectation for Chet Holmgren to double-up his production against Victor Wembanyama.
Why are the Thunder so confident in Holmgren? Gilgeous-Alexander had an immediate answer and it was all because their big man exuded great intangibles so far in the NBA Playoffs, via Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic.
“Chet doesn’t care about anything besides winning, and he’s gonna do what it takes to win. That’s his biggest skill … no ego. No agenda. No nothing besides trying to go out there and win. I have no doubt in my mind that Chet will go out there and give the game his all and put in his full effort. And that’s all you can ask from guys. Go out there and give it their all and see where it takes,” the two-time Thunder MVP said.
Holmgren has not been the best throughout this series against the Spurs. In Game 4, he was only able to produce 14 points, three rebounds, and an assist. Popping off in Game 5 would be huge for the hopes of the Thunder to win this series.
If the lack of ego ever translates, it needs to be now for the Thunder.