Crystal Pouncey
Nov 15, 2023 - 05:15

NBA 2023: Josh Giddey feature, slow start, statistics, OKC Thunder, reactions, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren

Aussie NBA star Josh Giddey has struggled early in the season, raising questions about his performance and future with the Thunder.

NBA fans have been closely watching the performance of Aussie star Josh Giddey in the early stages of the NBA season, and it's safe to say that he has had a slow start. Despite high expectations, Giddey has struggled to make the third-year leap and has even regressed from his first two impressive seasons.

Standing at 6-foot-8, Giddey set the bar high early in his career, racking up eight career triple-doubles and breaking multiple records. However, in the first 10 games of this NBA season, he has posted career-lows across the board, including a decrease in his scoring, shooting percentages, and playing time. This slow start comes in a season with increased expectations for the Thunder, as they aim to make a deep playoff run.

There are a couple of factors that can be attributed to Giddey's slow start. Firstly, he is adapting to an altered Thunder system and working out his place on a team that's integrating different pieces. In his first two seasons, Giddey had more opportunities to shine as one of the main stars on the team. However, with the return of Chet Holmgren from injury and the emergence of other players, Giddey's role has shifted.

Secondly, Giddey's shooting has not been efficient, with his three-point shooting at a low 21 percent and his overall true shooting percentage at 44.6 percent. This has led to questions about his efficiency and usage within the team's offense.

While there have been suggestions that Giddey could be moved to the bench or even traded, it's important to remember that this is a small sample size and that Giddey had an indifferent start to last season as well. He is still a young and raw talent with the potential to become a superstar in the NBA.

Patience is key for both Giddey's development and the Thunder's future success. It's important to remember that he has shown his potential in the past and that he is capable of bouncing back from this slow start. As the season progresses, Giddey will have the opportunity to figure things out and play through this rough patch.