After having multiplied the precocity records in the NBA, Josh Giddey came close to writing an unprecedented page in World Cup history yesterday in Australia’s opener, winning 98-72 against Finland.
Youngest player in NBA history to have a triple-double, second rookie in history to have three in a row, and youngest player in history to have one with more than 15 assists decisive, the Thunder player this time came close to what could have been the very first triple-double in the history of the World Cup! Enough to fill up with confidence against a seasoned opponent of the international final stages.
” It’s cool. Obviously it’s exciting to be here, it’s my first World Cup, I’m representing my country with great guys. It’s exciting. It’s a good start, and a good victory. We now move on », he said after the meeting.
A successful adaptation to FIBA basketball
Author of 14 points (4/10 shooting), 9 rebounds and 8 assists in 25 minutes, he has in any case greatly contributed to keeping Australia in contact with the Finns and then moving ahead for good after the break.
We will particularly remember his bright pass in front of three Finnish players for Jack White’s dunk, his coast-to-coast concluded with a left hand lay-up above Lauri Markkanen to go to +22 (79-57), then a new offering for a Jack White baseline dunk in stride.
“We were negligent with the ball, too many ball losses. Defensively, they were taking offensive rebounds and putting in shots”he confided about the complicated start of the Australians. “Once we found our way of playing, the tide turned. We were able to take off in the second half”.
At ease in the NBA, Josh Giddey quickly adapted to FIBA basketball while maintaining the same productivity. He found himself in this physical basketball and got up to speed, thus managing to find his place in a roster that was nevertheless extensive in the rear positions. Behind Patty Mills (28 minutes), he even had the longest playing time.
“It’s obviously different,” he added on his adaptation to FIBA basketball. “The referees allowed a lot of things, which is good. I like to play physically. The rules are obviously different. I feel like there is less space on the FIBA court than in the NBA. But we had a lot of friendly matches, a lot of collective training sessions, so we got used to it. For me, it’s good to have been able to show myself in the first real game and adapt to two different styles of play.
| Josh Giddey | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2021-22 | OKAY | 54 | 32 | 41.9 | 26.3 | 70.9 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 6.4 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 12.5 |
| 2022-23 | OKAY | 76 | 31 | 48.2 | 32.5 | 73.1 | 2.0 | 5.9 | 7.9 | 6.2 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 16.6 |
| Total | 130 | 31 | 45.9 | 29.5 | 72.3 | 1.9 | 6.0 | 7.9 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 14.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
