On Sunday afternoon, the Oklahoma City Thunder suffered their first setback of the 2017 NBA season, when the defending champions came to town and pounded them 128-95.

Nikola Jokic led the way with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists in 30 minutes, while Chet Holmgren was one of the few bright spots for the Thunder in the opposing frontcourt, scoring 19 points to lead OKC in scoring and continue his strong start to his first season on the floor. According to Bennett Durando of the Denver Post, Jokic was asked about his youthful adversary after the game and offered him praise as well as guidance that only Jokic could give.

“He’s a very talented young man, but this is his first year.” “He’s still learning everything: the game, how fast it is, where he has an advantage, where he has a disadvantage,” Jokic explained. “I believe he requires experience.” To be honest, I think he needs to gain some weight. But he does have a distinct gift.”

Holmgren, who missed his whole rookie season due to a foot ailment, came into this season a little heavier following a year in an NBA weight program, but the 7’1 big man is still rather thin. Jokic’s greatest advice is to hit the buffet line as much as the free throw line, while also joking to Durando that he didn’t have that problem as a rookie.

I appreciate how Jokic isn’t talking about Chet going to the gym, just that he needs more meat in general. Jokic spent his early career shedding pounds to transform himself from a chubby but skilled center into an unstoppable perennial MVP candidate. Holmgren has a tempting skill set of his own, but as Sunday shown, there are still some matchups he has to bulk up for, and Jokic might have some pointers on how to do so.