Following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s home-opening loss, two-time MVP Nikola Jokic spoke highly of Chet Holmgren and jokingly offered some dietary advice.
“He’s a really talented guy, but this is his first year. He’s still learning everything.” Jokic said. “… I think he needs experience. I think he needs to be a little bit fatter, to be honest.:”
Holmgren’s frame has been a huge talking point surrounding him since high school. The seven-foot-one, 208-pound center has heard plenty of talk about his skinny build, with critics suggesting he adds more weight to withstand playing against NBA centers.
To Holmgren’s credit, he utilized his redshirt season last year to add some sustainable weight. After weighing 195 pounds in his rookie season, he added 13 pounds.
When asked about Jokic’s comments, Holmgren hunched over to the mic and wittingly responded by saying he’s still gaining weight.
“It’s hard to get fatter when you’re not fat,” Holmgren said.
A tactical response from the 2022 No. 2 pick. Four games into his career, it’s evident the weight concerns were overblown. It’s only suitable for a shallow talking point to receive a shallow response.
Nikola Jokic on Chet Holmgren: "I think he needs to be a little bit fatter, to be honest."
Chet: "It’s hard to get fatter when you’re not fat. Got to start somewhere, I guess." pic.twitter.com/TJu1wvr5cV
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) October 31, 2023
