The Moment
Kendrick Perkins didn't mince words. On a recent episode of First Take, the former NBA center turned commentator looked straight into the camera and demanded that Chet Holmgren โman up.โ The context? The Oklahoma City Thunder were locked in a first-round playoff series with the San Antonio Spurs, and after Game 2, the narrative had shifted from a competitive matchup to a referendum on Holmgren's toughness.
Perkins, never one to shy away from a hot take, pointed to the box score: Victor Wembanyama had just dropped 41 points and 24 rebounds. Holmgren? Four points. Two field goals. The contrast was stark, and the message was clear: at 7-foot-1, Holmgren cannot afford to disappear when his team needs him most.
โHe has 41 points and 24 rebounds. You have four points. What? Four, eight, I don't know. It's two field goals. What? You can't do that,โ Perkins said, his voice rising. โChet Holmgren, you can play. You're not a scrub. And you're 7-foot-1. What's up?โ
The segment quickly went viral, sparking debate across social media. Was Perkins being too harsh? Or was he simply stating what every basketball fan with a keen eye had noticed: Holmgren looked hesitant, even scared, against the towering Wembanyama.
Breaking It Down
The numbers tell only part of the story. The Spurs had dominated the Thunder during the regular season, holding a 5-2 record against them. In Game 1, Wembanyama set the tone with a dominant overtime performance. In Game 2, despite a Thunder win, the victory felt unconvincing. Stephen A. Smith noted that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder's MVP candidate, looked concerned. โI'm looking at a Shai right now that looks concerned,โ Smith said. โWemby got them people spooked.โ
But the real issue, according to Perkins and Smith, wasn't just the final score. It was the eye test. They pointed to moments when Holmgren seemed to avoid contact, shying away from the post rather than embracing the challenge. Smith described it as a lack of โdog,โ a term often used to describe players who relish physical battles.
Jay Williams, however, offered a more nuanced perspective. He argued that expecting Holmgren to match Wembanyama's physicality was unrealistic. โI think sometimes we forget how damn tall 7'4" really is,โ Williams said, referencing a photo of himself standing next to Yao Ming to illustrate the point. โEven Shaq looks small next to Yao.โ
Williams suggested that the Thunder's best strategy might be to use Isaiah Hartenstein as the primary defender on Wembanyama. Hartenstein, at 7-foot-0, is built more like a traditional center and could absorb the punishment without drawing fouls. โI don't want Chet in foul trouble because of his versatility offensively,โ Williams explained. โI want that to be Isaiah Hartenstein.โ
The Bigger Picture
This debate goes beyond one series. It's about the evolution of the Thunder as a championship contender. Sam Presti, the team's general manager, has built a roster around versatility and skill. Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in 2022, was supposed to be the perfect modern big man: a shot-blocker who can stretch the floor and handle the ball. But in the playoffs, when the game slows down and physicality increases, those skills can be neutralized.
The Spurs, by contrast, have constructed their team around Wembanyama's unique abilities. They know he can dominate games by sheer size alone, and they've designed schemes to maximize his impact. The Thunder, meanwhile, are still figuring out how to counter that.
Perkins's criticism, while harsh, touches on a deeper issue: the Thunder's lack of an identity in the paint. Against smaller teams, Holmgren's length is an advantage. Against Wembanyama, it's a liability. And without a true enforcer like Hartenstein (who missed Game 2 with injury), the Thunder become vulnerable.
Business & Culture
The stakes for Game 3 were enormous. Perkins argued that the Spurs needed the win more, because for the first time, the Thunder had doubt. โI want to hit them. I want to blacken one eye, then blacken the left eye,โ Perkins said. โI want to knock them out. I don't want them to have zero hope that they could compete with us.โ
That mentality reflects the culture of the Spurs, a franchise built on toughness and discipline. Under Gregg Popovich, they've always emphasized physicality and mental resilience. The Thunder, by contrast, are still a young team learning how to handle adversity. Their success will depend on whether players like Holmgren can develop that edge.
Culturally, this series is a test for the Thunder's front office. Presti has been praised as one of the best executives in the league, but his roster construction is being challenged. If Holmgren can't handle Wembanyama, does Presti need to trade for a traditional center? Or will Hartenstein's return solve the problem?
What's Next
Game 3 is a pivotal moment for both teams. If the Thunder win, they regain home-court advantage and prove they can adjust. If they lose, they fall behind 2-1, with the pressure mounting. Holmgren's performance will be under a microscope. Can he respond to Perkins's challenge and show the aggression that made him a top pick?
For the Spurs, the goal is simple: protect home court and put the Thunder on the brink. Wembanyama has already proven he can dominate. The question is whether his supporting cast can sustain the level of play.
Expect adjustments from both sides. The Thunder may start Hartenstein to absorb Wembanyama's post-ups, while the Spurs will likely continue to attack Holmgren in isolation. The series could come down to which team executes better in the fourth quarter.
Creator Take
For content creators covering this series, the lesson is clear: lean into the narratives that drive engagement. Perkins's โman upโ comment is exactly the kind of polarizing take that sparks debate. Creators should analyze not just the stats, but the emotional reactions they evoke.
Use clips of Holmgren's defensive possessions to illustrate the eye test. Compare his body language in Game 1 versus Game 2. Create breakdowns of how the Thunder can adjust their defensive schemes. And don't shy away from hot takesโthey're the lifeblood of sports media.
Ultimately, this series is a masterclass in storytelling. The young star vs. the generational talent. The team built on versatility vs. the team built on size. The narrative is still being written, and creators who capture the drama will thrive.
