NBA Rookie Power Rankings: Podziemski rises after helping Warriors win 6 in a row

2. Chet Holmgren

Last rank: 2

Despite struggling over the last month, Holmgren is still a major reason the Thunder are as good as they are. Over his last ten games, Holmgren has managed to score over 15 points per contest, but more impressively, he is denying around three shots per game in his last ten.

The Thunder have now improved to 4-2 over February, and after a two-game slip, they have bounced back. Despite playing excellently in February, the Thunder still have a few holes in their roster, one of which is the need for a backup center. They signed Bismack Biyombo, but he hasn't played a game yet.

Biyombo is still a solid backup, but the Thunder will still instill all their faith in their rookie center. As the season has carried on, Holmgren has tailored off. At one point, the second-year rookie was averaging just under 20 points per game. He is now only averaging 16.

It's still impressive given this time last year, Holmgren was stuck on the bench after tearing his achilles. Despite playing almost every game this season, it's still a longshot to rely on Holmgren for a playoff run. Fans have no reason to doubt Holmgren and what he has done this season, but it could be concerning if he falls off in a playoff series.

The Thunder are well on their way to making their first playoff birth in a few years and Holmgren will need to be a big reason they go far in the playoffs.