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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