Time to get giddy: OKC Thunder rookie Josh Giddey impresses in first three games
By Alex Mcewen
OKC Thunder rookie Josh Giddey is already turning heads three games into his NBA career.
When the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the sixth slot in the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery, fans were sad. Then, when they shocked the NBA world and selected Australian guard Josh Giddey that sadness turned to frustration and perplexion.
However, three games into his NBA career, Giddey has already proven why you should never get too down on draft night. Until you have gotten a chance to watch these young players in a live-action NBA game.
His stats have yet to pop off the page, but Giddey just has this feel and vibe surrounding him that he belongs in the league and will be here for a long-time. In his home debut for the OKC Thunder, one of the youngest players in the NBA did not disappoint.
In the waning moments of the fourth quarter on Sunday night, the young and rebuilding Thunder were surprisingly still within striking distance of the championship-contending Philadelphia 76ers. With a 1:21 left to play, Giddey had the best sequence of his still very young career.
After a hard foul from Joel Embiid, Giddey gingerly got up — it was in this moment the entire Thunder fan base took a collective deep breath — walked up to the foul line, sank both his free throws, went down on defense, got a steal, and came back up on offense nailing a clutch 3. The sequence was beautiful from the young Aussie.
It was at this moment I knew Josh Giddey was going to be something special in the league for years to come. It’s unclear at this time how high Giddey’s ceiling is, but his future is brighter than the new Paycom Center lights.
Fan reaction
Giddey has already won over the Thunder fan base, here is what some fans are saying about him through three games:
Winning fans over
Very good court vision, active on using his height to fight for boards. Certainly winning me over.
— Justin Floan (@mangeface) October 25, 2021
Collison-esque
I like the dude! He can score and he just did a very Nick Collison type bounce pass that led to an easy bucket 🏀 #ThunderUp
— Brett Bower (@BrettBowerActor) October 25, 2021
Efficient young Aussie
I see a lot that I like in him. Very efficient passer, doesn’t get down if he misses a shot and stays confident, but not over confident. Always hustling for boards and back to defend. I like him and he’s so young so I’m excited to see him develop and adjust to the pace a bit more
— SKSInThePaint (@SarahRebuild) October 25, 2021
Shocking stats
In addition to passing the eye test, Josh Giddey has posted some impressive statistics in his first three NBA games, leading the young Thunder in rebounds in two of their three games this season, and placing third in total rebounds (20) and rebounds per game (6.7) among rookies to this point.
Giddey is also one of three rookies to have 20 or more rebounds, joining Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley.
Moreover, Giddey is leading all rookies in total assists (14) and assists per game (4.7), and he boasts an impressive 14-4 assist to turnover ratio.
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The season will be long and as good as Giddey has been, there will be ups and downs. He will eventually hit the proverbial rookie wall and the adversity that comes with it. But, if these first three games have been a preview of what’s to come, then the backcourt in Oklahoma City will be set for the foreseeable future.