Going into the 2021 NBA Draft, expectations for Josh Giddey were fairly low. Scouting reports listed his weaknesses as the entire sport of basketball, he was projected to be picked at around 14th, and when he was ultimately taken at the 6th pick, seemingly everyone bitched and moaned about how it was too high. If we had that draft again right now, there is no universe where five guys get selected ahead of him. Now, we are in a position where we can discuss Josh Giddey in the Rookie of the Year race.
The 19-year-old Aussie is the second-youngest player in the entire NBA. He currently averages 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists, but anyone who has watched the golden boy play would realise his impact is far deeper than that. A 6’9″ point guard who can scan the defence and throw crazy passes with either arm. Even LeBron James was singing his praises not that long ago, crediting Giddey with “playing beautiful basketball.”
Two months ago, we told you that Josh Giddey had become the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double. Since then, he has also become the second youngest. And the third youngest. Oh… and also the fourth youngest. Alongside Hall of Fame point guard Oscar Robinson, he is one of two rookies in NBA history to record three consecutive triple-doubles. First game at Madison Square Garden? 28-point triple-double.
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Let this be a lesson to us all: never doubt Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti. The front office of OKC has drafted Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson, and now Josh Giddey. The franchise has traded a lot of assets to bring in young talent and draft picks, but with such an insane eye for young talent, Presti has shown that is the move. Josh Giddey has been voted the Western Conference Rookie of the Months for the past four months consecutively.
So why is Josh Giddey only ranked third and not the clear cut favourite to take home Rookie of the Year? Truth be told, both Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors are remarkably gifted athletes in their own right. This was never intended as a slight against either of them, but to give credit to Giddey for the historic season he has had. With a supporting cast around him arguably weaker than the Cavs or Raptors, Giddey has given this franchise hope with his seemingly limitless potential.
Unfortunately, Josh is expected to miss the next couple of weeks due to an injured hip, which may take him out of the running for the award entirely. I will maintain that Josh Giddey has the highest ceiling of anyone in this rookie class. He is naturally great at all aspects of the game it is hard to improve on and shows a lot of confidence, and willingness to improve. While he likely won’t win Rookie of the Year, you should look forward to this guy making All-NBA selections one day.
