- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 399,455
- Reaction score
- 43
Josh Giddey is a Thunder disciple.
The Australian guard likely memorized all of Mark Daigneault's go-to phrases before he learned the national anthem when he arrived in the States as the sixth pick in the 2021 draft. Phrases like "zero and zero," which stresses the importance of focusing solely on the present.
But Giddey strayed from his teachings last September when the NBA released its 2024-25 season schedule. He couldn't help but look ahead to OKC's home game against Chicago on Monday, which marked his first trip back to Paycom Center since he was traded to the Bulls this past offseason.
"I had this one circled on my calendar," Giddey said. "Just to see everybody, be back in this building and see all of the guys and everybody in the organization that I built relationships with. ... I'm very happy to be back."
OKC dismantled Chicago in a 145-117 win. But even the downpour of Thunder buckets couldn't dampen a special night for Giddey as he revisited a place he called home for the first three years of his NBA career.
Of course, things had changed. Giddey went through his pregame shootaround in a black-and-red Bulls shirt. And when it was time to suit up, he ventured into the previously-unexplored away locker room.
But one constant was the love from OKC's crowd, which gave Giddey a round of applause when his name was introduced as a starter.
"It was fun," Giddey said. "This is the place I started my NBA career at, and I feel like I owe them a lot. To come back tonight to a nice reception was really special. This is a place I'll hold in my heart forever."
More: Isaiah Joe, OKC Thunder spoil Josh Giddey's return in blowout win vs Chicago Bulls
Giddey finished with 15 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in 28 minutes. And while it wasn't a perfect performance by the 6-foot-8 guard, who went 1 for 5 from deep and committed four turnovers, he showed flashes of the potential that attracted Sam Presti and OKC's front office years ago.
Giddey used his size to attack the paint. He found holes in the NBA's most connected defense with precision passes. He outrebounded both of OKC's 7-footers, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Giddey was even guarded at times by Lu Dort, which is a badge of honor that's given to the biggest offensive threats around the league. And it's one he has earned as of late.
Giddey averaged 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists on 34.5% shooting from deep at the All-Star break. He's averaging 21.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 8.9 assists on 47% shooting from deep in his 15 outings since then.
Giddey is thriving as a floor general on the third-fastest team in the league, and Chicago (33-42) is 11-9 since the All-Star break. It's now 10th in the East with a strong chance of reaching the play-in tournament.
"My role in Chicago, I feel like it's me," Giddey said. "I feel like I'm able to play my game and be who I am. But it's not all about me. I feel like a lot of my role is to make everyone else around me better. ... I think I'm starting to find my groove a bit. We are as a team as well, and it's the right time of the year to get it going."
Giddey's development isn't just seen on the court. It's also apparent when talking to him.
When Giddey was benched for the first time in his NBA career during OKC's playoff series against Dallas last season, he struggled to adjust. He admits he was self-centered, and he claims he wasn't being a good teammate.
Nowadays, Giddey will be the first one to tell you it was the right call to bench him in that series. It's all part of growing for the former lottery pick, who's still only 22 years old.
"I was obviously immature as a person," Giddey said. "It was probably an experience I needed. ... I don't look back on my time here with any bad blood or anything because I absolutely loved it. I'll never say a bad word about this place."
More: OKC Thunder's trade of Josh Giddey to Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso remains win-win deal
People in the Thunder organization won't say a bad word about Giddey either.
"He's playing with great confidence," Daigneault said. "I think he's playing a role that allows him to spread his wings, for sure, and I'm happy for him. He's done a great job."
"He's got it going, man," Kenrich Williams added. "You can tell he's super comfortable over there. ... He's playing at an elite level right now."
Giddey's recent play has surely boosted his value entering this offseason, where he'll become a restricted free agent.
According to a report by NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Chicago guard is expected to seek a new multiyear deal that pays at least $30 million annually. And a strong showing in the upcoming playoffs would certainly help with that pitch.
But Giddey isn't focused on a new contract or the postseason right now. After finally crossing Monday's game off of his calendar, he's back to having a zero-and-zero mentality.
"You can't look too far ahead," Giddey said. "We try to take it one game at a time."
Daigneault and the Thunder would be proud.
More: Sam Presti was right about Josh Giddey in Thunder-Bulls trade | Mussatto
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Inside Josh Giddey's 'special' return to OKC for Thunder-Bulls game
Continue reading...
The Australian guard likely memorized all of Mark Daigneault's go-to phrases before he learned the national anthem when he arrived in the States as the sixth pick in the 2021 draft. Phrases like "zero and zero," which stresses the importance of focusing solely on the present.
But Giddey strayed from his teachings last September when the NBA released its 2024-25 season schedule. He couldn't help but look ahead to OKC's home game against Chicago on Monday, which marked his first trip back to Paycom Center since he was traded to the Bulls this past offseason.
"I had this one circled on my calendar," Giddey said. "Just to see everybody, be back in this building and see all of the guys and everybody in the organization that I built relationships with. ... I'm very happy to be back."
OKC dismantled Chicago in a 145-117 win. But even the downpour of Thunder buckets couldn't dampen a special night for Giddey as he revisited a place he called home for the first three years of his NBA career.
Of course, things had changed. Giddey went through his pregame shootaround in a black-and-red Bulls shirt. And when it was time to suit up, he ventured into the previously-unexplored away locker room.
But one constant was the love from OKC's crowd, which gave Giddey a round of applause when his name was introduced as a starter.
"It was fun," Giddey said. "This is the place I started my NBA career at, and I feel like I owe them a lot. To come back tonight to a nice reception was really special. This is a place I'll hold in my heart forever."
More: Isaiah Joe, OKC Thunder spoil Josh Giddey's return in blowout win vs Chicago Bulls
You must be registered for see images attach
Giddey finished with 15 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in 28 minutes. And while it wasn't a perfect performance by the 6-foot-8 guard, who went 1 for 5 from deep and committed four turnovers, he showed flashes of the potential that attracted Sam Presti and OKC's front office years ago.
Giddey used his size to attack the paint. He found holes in the NBA's most connected defense with precision passes. He outrebounded both of OKC's 7-footers, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Giddey was even guarded at times by Lu Dort, which is a badge of honor that's given to the biggest offensive threats around the league. And it's one he has earned as of late.
Giddey averaged 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists on 34.5% shooting from deep at the All-Star break. He's averaging 21.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 8.9 assists on 47% shooting from deep in his 15 outings since then.
Giddey is thriving as a floor general on the third-fastest team in the league, and Chicago (33-42) is 11-9 since the All-Star break. It's now 10th in the East with a strong chance of reaching the play-in tournament.
"My role in Chicago, I feel like it's me," Giddey said. "I feel like I'm able to play my game and be who I am. But it's not all about me. I feel like a lot of my role is to make everyone else around me better. ... I think I'm starting to find my groove a bit. We are as a team as well, and it's the right time of the year to get it going."
Giddey's development isn't just seen on the court. It's also apparent when talking to him.
When Giddey was benched for the first time in his NBA career during OKC's playoff series against Dallas last season, he struggled to adjust. He admits he was self-centered, and he claims he wasn't being a good teammate.
Nowadays, Giddey will be the first one to tell you it was the right call to bench him in that series. It's all part of growing for the former lottery pick, who's still only 22 years old.
"I was obviously immature as a person," Giddey said. "It was probably an experience I needed. ... I don't look back on my time here with any bad blood or anything because I absolutely loved it. I'll never say a bad word about this place."
More: OKC Thunder's trade of Josh Giddey to Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso remains win-win deal
People in the Thunder organization won't say a bad word about Giddey either.
"He's playing with great confidence," Daigneault said. "I think he's playing a role that allows him to spread his wings, for sure, and I'm happy for him. He's done a great job."
"He's got it going, man," Kenrich Williams added. "You can tell he's super comfortable over there. ... He's playing at an elite level right now."
Giddey's recent play has surely boosted his value entering this offseason, where he'll become a restricted free agent.
According to a report by NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, the Chicago guard is expected to seek a new multiyear deal that pays at least $30 million annually. And a strong showing in the upcoming playoffs would certainly help with that pitch.
But Giddey isn't focused on a new contract or the postseason right now. After finally crossing Monday's game off of his calendar, he's back to having a zero-and-zero mentality.
"You can't look too far ahead," Giddey said. "We try to take it one game at a time."
Daigneault and the Thunder would be proud.
More: Sam Presti was right about Josh Giddey in Thunder-Bulls trade | Mussatto
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Inside Josh Giddey's 'special' return to OKC for Thunder-Bulls game
Continue reading...
