Left out of the major five for the first time in his career during the Western Conference semi-final, lost to Dallas (4-2), Josh Giddey did not hide his disappointment when taking stock of his season.
Replaced by Isaiah Joe, the sniper of the group, the Australian obviously paid for his weakness from afar, with a Mavs defense which was able to ignore his shot, while he finished the series at a pitiful 3/16 behind the arc!
“There were difficult moments, when we were down 3-2 and we were away. These are complicated moments to manage emotionally but we have a group who wants to experience this kind of moment and who came together even more when things got tough. first puts the young Australian into perspective. “It was like that all year anyway. We really have an impressive group. The simple fact that we got this far as the youngest team says a lot about the quality of the guys in this locker room. »
Not used to this replacement role, he who had made the transition to the NBA well (elected in the second five rookies in 2022), as well as a very good second campaign completed at 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists on average, after having dominated Australian basketball throughout his youth, Josh Giddey took a different tone to discuss his personal case. At the end of a season where he experienced problems both on and off the boards…
“There were ups and downs, it’s no secret”continues an emotional Josh Giddey. “In the playoffs, it’s a game of chess. Coaches must make choices. I took the blow in the face but I continued to move forward. By being the best teammate possible in the backup role I had. »
“I probably wasn’t a good teammate”
On the street in Game 1, with 2 points and 5 rebounds in the end for 17 minutes of play, even though Oklahoma City dominated its subject for a convincing victory, Josh Giddey had to put his head back in place.
“The first two games against Dallas, I didn’t play much. And I wasn't playing very well either. I was really too much in my own world, dwelling on things. I probably wasn't a good teammate. I felt bad because we won Game 1, but I couldn't be happy and share the joy of my teammates. Because I was depressed individually. It was a bad feeling and I told myself that no matter how much playing time I have to be a better teammate. »
Several times during his “exit interview”, Josh Giddey let himself be a little overwhelmed by emotions, evoking in particular the difficulties that professional athletes can sometimes go through off the field, and which have an irremediable impact on the performances achieved on the boards.
But the “Boomer”, who will realize his Olympic dream in Paris this summer, learns a lesson. He knows he really needs to work on his outside shot. His priority when he arrives at home in Melbourne, where his personal coaches will be waiting for him to prepare not only for the Olympics, but for next season. The last of his rookie contract in OKC…
“Honestly, for a 21-year-old like me, it's probably a blessing in disguise to experience this kind of complicated series. To go from starting status to very few minutes, I think I needed it. You can't really hear it in my voice right now but I can't wait to get home and work on my game. There will be the Olympics too with the national team. I know I have a lot to work on but I can't wait to get back to work. I have to improve and I will improve. »
| Josh Giddey | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 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 |
| 2023-24 | OKAY | 80 | 25 | 47.5 | 33.7 | 80.6 | 1.4 | 5.0 | 6.4 | 4.8 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 12.3 |
| Total | 210 | 29 | 46.4 | 31.0 | 75.3 | 1.7 | 5.6 | 7.3 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 13.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
