"The Unicorn" - Isiah Thomas heaps praise for Kevin Durant for mentoring Chet Holmgren
Former MVP Kevin Durant was recently pictured working out with Chet Holmgren and Bol Bol this offseason amid the NBA Finals. With all three of the Western Conference players eliminated from the postseason, the trio decided to link up to get some summer work in. The photo was quick to draw the attention of the NBA community, including Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas.
In a post on Twitter/X, Thomas praised Durant for inspiring the next generation and changing the game. While all three may be at very different stages of their respective careers, it can't be denied that both Holmgren and Bol have some of KD's attributes and skills.
Both can handle the ball and fire away from deep, showing finesse and grace many players their size don't have. As Isiah Thomas, and many others, have pointed out, with a 7'5 wingspan, Kevin Durant was the early blueprint for tall lanky players who want to do everything guards do.
While reposting the photo of Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, and Bol Bol, Thomas wrote:
"The Unicorn @KDTrey5 has changed the game and style of play for these players, he has inspired this generation and the next generation of unicorns #Leader"
Kevin Durant's continued support of Chet Holmgren after the 2023-24 NBA season
While the offseason workout photo of Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, and Bol Bol has continued to go viral, this isn't the first time we've seen the two working out together. Last summer, ahead of what was Chet Holmgren's true rookie season, he and Durant were seen working out together.
The move was one that caught the attention of fans for more than one reason. In addition to the fact that Holmgren was working out with one of, if not the single greatest scorer of this generation, it was hard to ignore the OKC connection.
Holmgren was preparing to make his rookie season debut for the OKC Thunder, a team Durant shockingly turned his back on years before. Despite the fact that Durant still receives boos at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Holmgren wants to learn from the best.
In an interview with Boardroom in 2023 he explained:
"I'm trying to follow in those footsteps and take as much as I can from him cause I'm trying to play 17 years, too, at a high level and get better each year. It starts in the gym and being able to get in the gym with somebody like KD at such a young stage in my career, it pays dividends for me."
While Chet Holmgren and Kevin Durant are working out together this summer, once the regular season starts the pair will battle it out in the West. In addition, although Bol Bol is set to hit free agency, the Suns have expressed a desire to retain the big man for the 2024-25 season.