The Dark Truth of Josh Giddey

(Stats as of 12/4)

Josh Giddey has been all over social media lately due to allegations surrounding him, but this article aims to delve into a darker truth that the media may be hiding: he is bad at basketball. Last season, Giddey gained widespread recognition, posting solid numbers on a young Thunder team that seemed poised to take the next step this season with the arrival of Chet and SGA’s continued dominance. However, this season, he has not only regressed but performed poorly. In terms of regression, Josh is averaging 4 fewer points per game, 2 fewer assists, 2 fewer rebounds, and worse shooting splits despite his usage percentage remaining the same. However, a player regressing alone is not reason enough to label them as awful. A closer look at Giddey’s season reveals just how challenging it has been. In terms of shooting, Giddey would struggle to hit water if he fell off a boat, boasting the third-worst true shooting percentage in the league at 48.3%, with only Talen Horton-Tucker and Dyson Daniels performing worse – not exactly household names. Another stat highlighting Josh’s shooting struggles is TS added, which compares how many extra points a player adds against the league average. Giddey ranks 5th worst in the NBA, with a net negative of 42.2 points for the Thunder.

Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Giddey hasn’t only been a liability while shooting the ball; his judgment has been suspect all over. To start this season, he ranks as the 5th worst in offensive win shares, the 10th worst in win shares per 48, and has a negative value over replacement. Many expected Giddey to be a useful piece this season, but his play has been more detrimental than helpful, especially on offense, with his 17.8% turnover percentage at the 7th worst in the league. Beyond the plethora of stats, Giddey also fails to pass the eye test, lacking a variety of moves and relying on speed changes and set plays to create his chances, which defenses seem to be figuring out with ease as he spends more time in the NBA. While Giddey, at only 21 years old, has time to turn his career around, the start to this season has been so poor that it deserves recognition. The season has been full of unwanted distractions, which may contribute to this downturn, but the issues were apparent even before the news broke. Unless a serious change is made, it would not be surprising if Sam Presti trades him for some second-round picks to add to his infinite collection. Giddey might be destined for Lakers jersey swap photos and Knicks trade rumors unless he can reignite the spark of last season.

(Stats via Basketball Reference)