Want any extra proof that Gilbert Arenas’ bellyaching about Europeans and foreigners ruining basketball with their candy exterior strokes is all scorching air? I’ll provide you with one: Josh Giddey. Now that his legal woes appear to be in the rearview mirror, the whispers about his liabilities within the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder’s 5-out offense are crescendoing for the Thunder as opposing groups undertake disrespectful defensive methods when he’s on the ground.
Draymond Inexperienced’s technique of guarding Jaylen Brown from contained in the paint backfired terribly, en path to a 52-point bloodletting, however the same technique additionally emerged in Phoenix. Throughout the Thunder’s win over Phoenix, Suns defenders used their very own hardwood infield defensive shift on Giddey. The Thunder’s level ahead made them pay for it by capturing 2-for-4 behind the arc a couple of nights after he missed all three of his makes an attempt in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
On the opening possession towards the Lakers on Monday, it was clear Mark Daigneault wished to get Giddey in rhythm early. On the opening possession, he dialed up a dribble handoff to Giddey right into a ghost display by Chet Holmgren that freed Giddey as much as financial institution in a runner with Anthony Davis closing in. All in all, Giddey performed tremendous in 29 minutes, scoring 13 factors and dishing 4 assists in what was considered one of his higher outings in current weeks, however the Thunder misplaced, 116-104.
Giddey on the ground isn’t a deadly flaw, In spite of everything, the Thunder are within the thick of a race for the No. 1 seed within the West. However for the season, Giddey continues to be capturing below 35 percent on wide-open three-pointers when he has six ft of area between himself and a defender. That’s a nudge under the league common on all 3-pointers. He’s the worst amongst all rotation players on the Thunder and in some pretty poor company among wide-open shooters from distance. In a decent seven-game sequence, considered one of their main offensive connectors receiving the drop protection remedy may give a playoff opponent a bonus.
The Suns aren’t the primary workforce treating Giddey like a self-check. In December, the Houston Rockets revived peak COVID-era social distancing guidelines to protect him.
Throughout a 35-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Jason Kidd baited Giddey into letting it fly. On rolls to the rim, he bricked wide-open floaters from right outside the lane as in the event that they have been halfcourt heaves, finger rolled a layup off the backboard from point-blank vary, which missed the rim totally, and couldn’t hit a nook 3 to avoid wasting his life.
It could be one factor if Giddey had Ben Simmons or Andre Iguodala’s defensive instincts to counter his constipated jumper, however he has two left ft defensively with a destructive wingspan, no bounce, is iffy from midrange, and lacks a back-to-the-basket sport. The Thunder lead the league in efficient subject purpose share on pull-up jumpers and catch-and-shoot jumpers, and Giddey thrives because the offensive maestro when he’s given the liberty to be a playmaker. Nevertheless, as Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have blossomed, the backcourt has grown crowded, pushing Giddey additional and additional off the ball. This season, Giddey’s minutes and utilization have diminished alongside along with his general subject purpose share. Off-ball, he’s a clumsy wallflower. The bar has been raised and Giddey’s been discovered wanting at occasions.
The upside is that Giddey has steadily improved as a three-point shooter below the NBA’s greatest capturing coach Chip Engelland, however there’s nonetheless room for huge enchancment. Early in his tenure with the Thunder, Giddey may do no unsuitable. His 26 p.c capturing behind the arc and 69 p.c free throw capturing have been cloaked by his anticipatory imaginative and prescient and precision passing.
Three years later, the Thunder have reached rivalry faster than anybody realized whereas Giddey continues to be on a deliberate developmental monitor. Because the Thunder’s picks develop, and as Sam Presti pulls extra All-Stars out his hat, Giddey’s liabilities have turn out to be much more obtrusive in an ever-expanding lineup of lottery expertise. In contrast to Simmons’ predicament in Philadelphia, Oklahoma Metropolis hasn’t been squandering picks that make it important for them to put money into Giddey past his rookie contract. They’ve the depth and picks galore to shell out for upper-echelon expertise.
Within the upcoming draft, Oklahoma Metropolis controls Houston’s top-four projected pick, courtesy of the Russell Westbrook commerce, Utah’s top-10 shielded from an eight-player commerce through which the Thunder jettisoned Derrick Favors, and one other Clippers first-round decide conveyed within the Paul George deal.
Giddey doesn’t have a ton of runway left. It’s a bizarre factor to say a few 21-year-old, however he’s already in 12 months three, eligible for an extension this summer season and the Thunder entrance workplace have a plethora of hungry mouths to feed. After Clay Bennett fractured the Thunder by paying Serge Ibaka on the expense of James Harden 12 years in the past, Presti is perhaps extra prudent this time round in a luxurious tax period that delivers extra punitive restrictions on groups over the tax apron than the league did a decade in the past.
There’s a stable probability he’ll stick round, however the Thunder don’t have the deepest pockets. Historical past tells us that they’ll must be cost-effective and Giddey will command a hefty sum. Within the meantime, the Thunder will trudge into the postseason with Giddey for the primary time. The upcoming stretch run, and the Thunder’s postseason reintroduction after a protracted absence, will give a glimpse into Giddey’s long-term viability as a contributor and into whether or not their core 4 can stick collectively for the lengthy haul.
Discover DJ Dunson on X: @cerebralsportex
