Aussie sensation Josh Giddey proved he can match it with the big guns with an excellent all-round performance against the NBA champs.
Josh Giddey showed he can match it with the very best in the NBA when his Oklahoma City Thunder took it right up to the reigning champions Milwaukee on Saturday (AEDT).
The Bucks showed their class to win 96-89 but OKC fought hard, coming back from 20 points down to trail 84-82 early in the fourth quarter.
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But the Thunder missed several opportunities to take the lead, including a three-point attempt by marquee star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had an off shooting night by his standards.
Giddey turned in another solid all-round performance, finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds (including six offensive boards) and four assists to record the third double-double of his short career.
The one slight criticism of the Aussie rookie so far has been his ability to hit the scoreboard but he showed improvement in that department against Milwaukee and was noticeably more aggressive with the ball in hand.
Giddey nailed several tough mid-range floaters and jump shots and confidently took the ball up the court himself to score a lay-up in a brilliant coast-to-coast play.
As has become customary, the 19-year-old produced a highlight play with another one of his signature one-handed slingshot passes.
In the final minutes of the game, Giddey was trapped in the paint by the Bucks defence but spun around, unleashing a rocket of a pass from his right hand that found teammate Jeremiah Robinson-Earl open in the corner for a three-pointer, which he nailed.
However, Giddey was reminded of the class of the opposition when reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sprinted down the court to brutally block his alley-oop pass to Darius Bazley in a huge defensive play.
OKC’s competitiveness against Milwaukee was a promising sign for the Thunder, who have exceeded expectations in the early stages of the NBA season.
Speaking after the game, Giddey said it was pleasing to keep Antetokounmpo to 21 points but he lamented his team’s inability to close out the game.
“I think we made him (Antetokounmpo) earn it for a lot of the game,” he said.
“We held them to a really winnable score, but in the end we couldn’t close the game out,”
“We’re gonna learn how to close games out like that.”
Giddey’s incredible passing and playmaking skills are continuing to make a big impression on his coaches and teammates.
“Not a lot of people have that zip on their passes,” acting OKC head coach Dave Bliss said.
“It’s not just the left hand and passing.
“It’s also the balance of velocity and touch. It’s unique.”
Giddey said his teammates now know to expect him to throw a pass with his left or right hand at any moment.
“The guys know to be ready because I throw some wild passes,” he said.
“I’m comfortable with either side. It is instinctive for me to pass the ball.”
“He’s such a great passer,” Thunder guard Ty Jerome added.
“Left hand crosscourt passes. His creativity is off the charts.
“You always gotta be ready. Anytime I check into a game and I see him next to me, I know I’m gonna get some shots off. He’s a hell of a passer.”
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