Case File: No. 46: Thekla

 

Photo Source: thesportster.com.

Today’s file is on the “Toxic Spider” Thekla, who is the leader of the group Triangle of Madness, and currently in her first title reign as the Women’s World Champion after winning the title last week.

 

HT: 5-1

 

Credentials:

AEW Women’s Champion

  

Strengths:

-Vicious streak

-Extremely agile

-Rangy

-Good ring awareness

-Brawler

-Uses her speed to her advantage

 

Weaknesses:

-Dimunitive stature

-Antics can be too much sometimes

-Could add a few more moves

 

 

Final Analysis:

While Thekla has shown some versatility in the ring--I’ve seen some submission and some high flying--the name of her game seems to be brawling. Those hardcore, gimmick matches seem to be her thing. She’s very agile; able to contort her body in ways most couldn’t. She uses her speed and range to get around the ring easily, and she has a good sense of where she is in the ring.

Her mic skills and promos still aren’t the best, but it has improved recently. Due to her small stature, she can easily be overpowered by bigger opponents. I think her antics can be too much at times. She’s a heel, so I get doing what it takes to draw heat, but the constant spitting is just nasty, and she’s not the only wrestler in that company I’ve seen with that apparent spitting habit.

While I’m not expecting her to have the same move set as a wrestler who uses a lot of throws, she could add a few more moves to her arsenal, so to speak. It looks like she’s added a new finisher in the Curb Stomp, although I like her submission finisher better. Either way, it’s better than seeing this itty bitty woman finish her opponents with a spear, especially bigger opponents.

Thekla’s character has picked up momentum the past few months,  and I was thinking that AEW Creative would put the title on her eventually, but I didn’t think she would get the title this soon. However, what’s done is done. Let’s see what she does from here.

 

 

 

 

Case File No.45: Chet Holmgren

Chet Holmgren (7). Photo Credit: Nate Billings/AP.

Today, I look into the file of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. Note: Like my last post, this is an updated entry from an assignment I did when I took a course for Sports Management Worldwide.

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Power Forward/Center

HT: 7-1 WT: 208

Credentials:

NBA Champion (2025)

WCC Freshman of the Year (2022)

First-team All-WCC (2022)

Strengths:

-Can score in different ways

-Very good shooter

-Good ball handler

-Good rebounder

-Makes great use of length as a defender

-Rim protector

-Runs the floor well

-Will battle for rebounds despite his frame

Weaknesses:

-Injury prone

-Light frame, particularly for his height

-Gets overpowered by bigger players

Final Analysis:

Chet is a versatile, two-way player who can play both power forward and center, but I think he's better off as a forward, unless facing a team with a small lineup. He can score facing up or driving to the basket. He will go to the low post occasionally, but facing up is more of his strength. He's a good shooter who typically shoots a high percentage, with range on his shot. He uses his length to his advantage on both ends, particularly on defense.

He's a good, but not a great rebounder. He's a very good rim protector. He will battle in the paint for rebounds, which you wouldn't expect for someone his size.

He's injury prone and he can get overpowered by bigger, stronger players. I remember a play where he was knocked back by a guard driving to the basket, and I don't think he was flopping. I think most of this is due to his lightweight frame. Like most players with his build, he's not the best moving laterally.

Chet has developed into a critical piece to the Thunder's success. Although he has bulked up a little--he was listed at 195 when he was drafted, and now is listed at 208--since he was drafted in 2022, he could stand to continue to develop his strength. I think there's more to his game offensively, but he's the third option at best on this team.

I don't see many glaring holes in Chet's game. I think the main thing for him to work on his strength and conditioning, and continue to develop the skills he already has. Adding some posts moves wouldn't hurt, either. Otherwise, I think he's a really good player with the ceiling to get better.

Case File No. 44: Jabari Smith Jr.

 

Jabari Smith Jr. (10). Photo Credit: Lucas Peltier/ USA Today Sports.

Today, I open the file of Houston Rockets forward,  Jabari Smith Jr. Note: Most of this evaluation is from an assignment I did when I took a course for Sports Management Worldwide in 2022, so some of the analysis and information will be updated.

Team: Houston Rockets

Position: Forward/Center

HT: 6-11 WT: 220

Credentials:

SEC All-Freshman Team (2022)

First-team All-SEC (2022)

NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2023)

Strengths:

-Can score in multiple ways

-Fluid transition from dribble to jump shot

-Good ball handler

-Aggressive when attacking the basket, not afraid of contact

-Two-way player

-Versatile

-Athletic

-Stays with his man defensively; a willing help defender

-Decent shot blocker

-Runs the floor well

Weaknesses:

-Settles for too many jump shots

-Streaky shooter

-Doesn't demonstrate a lot of power in the low post

-Inconsistent rebounder

Final Analysis:

Jabari is a versatile, two-way player who can play multiple positions, who moves almost like a guard. He can score in multiple ways: as a shooter, attacking the basket, and in the low post. He handles the ball well for a big man, and although he's not known to get a lot of assists, in general, he's not a bad passer.

As a defender, he does a good job of using his length and sticking with his man. He's willing to rotate in help/team defense. He's not an intimidating shot blocker, but he does provide some rim protection.

He relies too much on his jump shot, and is a streaky shooter. He doesn't always demonstrate a lot of power in the low post; will settle for a fadeaway or a turnaround at times. I would like to see him go to the low post more. He's a decent rebounder, but I would like to see more consistency in this area, considering his height.

Overall, I like Jabari's game. A player with his size and versatility are hard to come by. He can play from the shooting guard to the center, although I think he's best between the small and power forward positions. While he isn't a lights out shooter, I wouldn't leave him open, either. 

He reminds me a lot of Cliff Robinson in terms of skill set and position versatility. I think he's a good player with the upside to be better than what he is, but he's on a team where, at this point, he's shifting between the third and fourth option. I'm convinced that his full potential, particularly on offense, will show in the right situation.

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Case File No. 43: Kazuchika Okada

 

Photo Credit: AXS TV.

Today, I open the case file of AEW (All-Elite Wrestling) wrestler Kazuchika Okada, who became a mega star in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and is currently AEW's Unified Champion.

HT: 6-3 WT: 236

Promotion: AEW

Credentials:

AEW Unified Champion (current)

AEW Champion (1)

AEW Continental (1)

Continental Classic Winner (2024)

IWGP Heavyweight Champion (7x)

Strengths:

-Combination of size and strength

-Athletic

-Very good in-ring performer

-Great at executing and selling moves

Weaknesses:

-Work on mic skills and promos

-Lack of personality

Final Analysis

I think Okada is close to being a complete package. He has a combination of size and strength; he's more athletic than he looks, has one of the best dropkicks in the business right now. I think the only one with a better dropkick is (fellow AEW wrestler) Kevin Knight, but I digress. A very good in-ring performer who excels at selling moves whether it's performing them or taking them, I rarely, if at all, see him botch anything. 

His mic skills/promos needs work. Although it looks like this has been toned down, but at one point, he would say a few sentences, and then follow it up with "b*tch!" That's not good mic skills; even those who found it funny at first, I'm sure it got tiresome after a while because I don't hear it too much nowadays. I do keep in mind that he's not from this country, so maybe his English isn't that fluent as of yet.

The other thing is working on his personality. It looks like AEW Creative are trying to give him one, but it seems forced versus it happening naturally. Although I think he has more personality than most male Japanese wrestlers I've seen because a lot of them have this stone-faced, dead look/personality.

Although most view Okada as great or elite already, I think he's close to greatness. He's one of the few wrestlers that I view as at least watchable nowadays. Not saying every match is "5 stars," but I can't think of a match I watched with him in it that was boring.

 If he improves on the mic and promos, and continues to work on his personality--I'm not saying he has to be polarizing, but find a way to be interesting and compelling in that area--I think he will eventually make the ranks of the rare elite. By that I mean, overall, because I'm sure he's an icon in Japan.

Case File No. 42: Jeremiah Fears

 

Photo Credit: Stephen Lew/Imagn Images.

Today, I look into the file of New Orleans Pelicans combo guard, Jeremiah Fears, who could be a Rookie of the Year candidate.

Team: New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

HT: 6-3 WT: 190

Credentials:

SEC All-Freshman Team (2025)

Strengths:

-Versatile

-Very good ball handler

-Good shooter, has a lot of range on his shot

-Can create his own shot

-Athletic

-Attacks the basket

-Good passer

-Active hands, shows discipline as a defender

Weaknesses:

-Get better defensively

-Get stronger

-Be more of a facilitator

Final Analysis

I think there's a lot to like about Jeremiah's game. As a scorer, he can create his own shot, whether as a shooter or attacking the basket. He has good range on his jump shot, and is not afraid of contact when attacking the basket.

He handles the ball very well; I don't see him turn the ball over very often. He's able to maintain his dribble in traffic. He's a good passer with good court vision. He has active hands as a defender, and for the most part, has discipline. I don't see him get in foul trouble often. Lighting fast, he is very good at playing passing lanes.

He has a light frame and can get overpowered by bigger players. While he's exceptional at getting steals, perhaps it's a situation where he's out of position, but I see him get beat more often than not. His assist average is way too low for a point guard, which makes me think he might be better off as a shooting guard. 

Jeremiah has shown a lot so far in his rookie season, and has tons of upside. I think he's capable of being of being an equally effective scorer and facilitator because of his court vision and ability as a passer, although, right now, the assist numbers doesn't reflect that. To be fair, part of the reason is because he's on a team with multiple ball handlers, so that could change if some of them were moved.

His numbers have taken a dip as of late, but overall, if he continues to develop and work on his defense, I see an All-Star caliber player in the future.

Case File No. 41: Patrick Mahomes

 

Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Today, I take look at Patrick Mahomes, who will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play, and possibly the best quarterback ever. 

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Position: Quarterback

HT: 6-2 WT: 225

Credentials:

3x Super Bowl Champion

3x Super Bowl MVP

2x NFL MVP

Offensive Player of the Year (2018)

3x All-Pro

6x Pro Bowl

Strengths:

-Unheralded leader

-Great clutch player

-Exceptional poise in the pocket

-Great pocket presence

-Accurate

-Great timing and anticipation

-Can make all the throws

-Can make accurate throws from awkward throwing angles

-Great at reading and manipulating defenses

Weaknesses:

-Occasionally will try to force the big play

-Occasionally will try to force the ball in multiple coverages

Final Analysis:

Patrick is a rare talent. To me, he's in a league of his own. It's almost like watching a "Create-a-Player" on Madden, where you set all of the attributes to 99. He has absolute command of the huddle, and respect from his teammates.

He has poise in the pocket; he's smart with the ball, his throws are usually accurate and with a nice touch, but he can also rifle it in there--the latter can his weakness sometimes, which I'll get to in a little bit--and he has great timing and anticipation. I've heard some claim forcing him to play from the pocket is the best way to stop him, but I've seen him beat teams that way. 

He can make all the throws, and he can accurately make throws from awkward throwing angles or body positions. He can make plays from the pocket, as well as with his feet. An excellent clutch player.

It's difficult finding a glaring weakness in his game. At times he will get impatient and try to force the big play versus taking what the defense gives him. Although he has improved in this area, he will revert back to that occasionally. Like most quarterbacks with great or rare arm strength, he can get too confident in his arm and force the ball in multiple coverages at times. The Catch-22 to that is he usually completes the pass, but there are times when it comes back to bite him.

The way he plays the game is unique, to say the least. I've never seen anybody like in the NFL like him. Now in his ninth year, he accomplished more in his first eight years than most quarterbacks will their entire career. He had an off year by his standards, but there's no doubt in my mind that he will bounce back. He will definitely go down as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play, and possibly the greatest.

Case File No. 40: Demond Williams Jr.

 

Photo Credit: John Froschauer/ AP Photo.

Today, I take a look at Demond Williams Jr., a quarterback I think has impressive tools, plays bigger than his size, and showed Heisman potential during the first half of the season.

Position: Quarterback

HT: 5-11 WT: 190

College: Washington

Class: Sophmore

Strengths:

-Very good pocket presence

-Accurate

-Very good timing and anticipation on throws

-Can make all the throws

-Can make plays with his arm and feet

-Plays bigger than his size

Weaknesses:

-Diminutive frame

-Doesn't play too well against top-tier opponents

-Must be smarter as a runner

Final Analysis:

I think there's a lot to like about Demond's game. He shows very good poise in the pocket; he goes through his progressions, and usually makes the right decisions. He makes pretty, accurate throws on short, immediate, and deep throws. He has really good timing and anticipation on most throws. He can make plays with his arm and feet effectively.

I find myself saying this about a lot of quarterbacks nowadays, and although he has shown durability, his diminutive frame could be an issue at the next level. I noticed that his high level of play isn't the same against top-tier teams (i.e., Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, and Indiana) vs. the mid-tier to lower level teams. He needs to be smarter as a runner; he takes unnecessary hits sometimes.

Demond has tremendous upside and showed plenty of promise his sophmore season. He reminds me a little of Jayden Daniels (his last two seasons at LSU) and Bryce Young when he played for Alabama. I think another season in school will do him some good. If he continues to develop and gets better in the big games, he could be a Heisman candidate-- if he's not already-- heading into next season.