November 22, 2024

Miami Heat sign Summer League star to fill final roster spot…

Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren has added to the narrative that Miami Heat fans are far from the most rabid in the NBA, to say the least.

During a recent interview, Chet Holmgren said he likes playing against the Heat at the Kaseya Center in Miami because it’s “empty,” which is obviously beneficial for the road team because it makes the environment less hostile and therefore playing easier.

“I like Miami, because it’s just like empty. As the away team you just got to build that lead in the first three quarters and then it just stays quiet for the fourth,” Holmgren said on the Road Trippin’ Show.

While Holmgren’s comments echo the reality that Miami Heat fans do often show up to games late — franchise star Jimmy Butler said as much in an interview earlier this year — he’s only played in Miami once, and that was on January 10, 2024.

Similar to the dog days of summer in baseball, the NBA season goes through an undoubted lull in the month leading up to its All-Star break, so for Holmgren to judge the fanbase based on that experience doesn’t feel like a fair test of the atmosphere they create.

That said, however, Holmgren does play in Oklahoma City, which is largely considered to have the best crowd in basketball. During his rookie season with the Thunder — which was delayed a year due to injury — Holmgren averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game.

Due to Holmgren’s shade, he can be sure the atmosphere will be plenty spicy when the Heat host the Thunder next season.

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