With the 2023/24 National Basketball Association (NBA) season now behind us, fans can now look forward to the results of the offseason.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s decision to trade Josh Giddey for veteran Alex Caruso Chicago Bulls’ victory has raised more than one eyebrow in the NBA.
Although the Australian has all the tools to become one of the NBA’s biggest stars, several flaws in his game were exposed in the playoff semi-final against the Dallas Mavericks.
Despite this, the Bulls believe they have an achievement a player who can make a difference – as evidenced by his performances at the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Josh Giddey will need time to prove himself, but he undoubtedly has the talent to boost the Bulls’ chances of securing a playoff spot.
His move to Chicago attracted a lot of attention in Australia, particularly in the sports betting industry. New Australian Bookmakers They set the Bulls’ odds at 751.00 to win the NBA championship and were flooded with bets on Giddey’s new team.
If the talented Australian fullback can take his game to the next level and lead the Bulls into the play-off race, those chances will surely disappear.
Josh Giddey shines at the Olympics
The Australian’s exceptional playmaking and goalscoring abilities were on display at the Olympics, proving he can become a dominant force with the ball in his hands.
The young guard averaged 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 29.4 minutes per game, becoming the Boomers’ primary playmaker in four outings.
He shouldered the offensive burden with a fearless mentality from beyond the arc, making eight of his 18 attempts.
His ability to create for himself and his teammates was evident as he consistently made crucial plays late in games. However, the Olympics was a tale of two halves for the 21-year-old.
Although he had several standout performances, his seven turnovers in the quarter-final loss to Serbia highlighted his inconsistency in a big game.
Despite that, he has been a crucial player for Australia, and his three-point shooting and preference for wanting the ball in key moments have highlighted his largely untapped potential.
Josh Giddey individual His performance was just a glimpse of his immense talent, although his tendency to disappear when the lights are bright is a weakness he needs to work on.
Australian must put NBA play-off disappointment behind him
In the NBA playoffs against the Mavericks, Josh Giddey averaged just 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds. And 1.3 assists as the Thunder were eliminated in the second round.
Head coach Mark Daigneault wanted to relegate him to the bench, but this decision did not resonate with the Australian guard, who then requested an exchange.
Now wearing the red and black of the Bulls in the Windy City, Josh Giddey is determined to prove that the Thunder made a colossal mistake in letting him go.
His raw talent and untapped potential could be a game-changer for the Bulls heading into the new season, especially if he steps up his game.
Josh Giddey didn’t have the best year of his career last season, but a trade to Chicago offers the chance for a fresh start, especially in a role It is more suited to his skills.
His performance at the Olympic Games it was a reminder of his enormous talent, and he is far too talented to have a worse season than last year.
For the first time in his NBA career, Josh Giddey should have the chance to play a role It is tailor-made for his skills.
The Australian faced a power struggle with Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander which limited his chances of realize its full potential last season.
With Gilgeous-Alexander considered the better player, Giddey was relegated to an off-ball role, limiting his ability to have a positive impact on the game.
Chicago gives him a clean sheet and a system that allows him to play to his strengths, which was a major problem for the Thunder.
That could be enough to help the Australian guard translate his impressive Olympic performances to the NBA and establish himself as a star for the Bulls.
For more Chicago sports content
Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking the time to read our articles. To further engage with our community and stay up to date on the latest Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP BY CLICKING HERE
