The Chet Holmgren Hype Train Will Continue To Speed Up

Rookie of the Year odds are bound to move in the process

If you're expecting the Chet Holmgren hype train to slow down anytime soon, don't waste your time.

His unique skillset combined with the fact that he looks like someone stretched him a foot taller than he was supposed to be is bound to draw eyeballs around the league. We've just never really seen anything like him.

His size (7'0, 195 or so) of course raises the biggest questions, starting with whether or not he'll get pushed around by just about anyone physically. Of course, the other side of this that makes him so exciting as a prospect, comes with his incredible shot blocking to make up for that lack of strength defensively.

Oh, and he can get you buckets too, so that's a pretty big plus.

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Living Up To The Hype

Holmgren's basketball IQ will help, at least somewhat, make up for that hard-to-believe look he has physically. His length will help bring plenty of disruption when he's guarding on the perimeter, and his timing at the rim will make even the best dunkers in the league think twice about taking off.

The No. 2 overall pick sits second in the Rookie of the Year odds as well (+375 on BetMGM), but has a real boom-or-bust feel for his first year.

The physically challenges can't just be overcome right away, especially given what we saw Kennth Lofton Jr. do to him recently.

At the same time though, those abilities I just pointed out on defense coupled with his unicorn-like talent on the offensive side of the court have the potential to bring some serious production on a talent-starving team in Oklahoma City.

There's plenty of optimism around Holmgren, but also the possibility of some growing pains along the way. Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith, who sit first and third respectively, bring a more comfortable bet if you're looking at the top three right now, but if you worry about that Holmgren hype shortening his odds, this would be the time to bet on him to walk away with the award.