Josh Giddey - 6'8 Aussie PG

[NatP4]

Giddey is definitely not a PG come on now, he can't handle it vs PGs if those are his match ups on D, and he absolutely can not defend PGs in space at the next level, please

This could not be further from the truth. I’m seriously questioning whether or not you have watched any 36ers games this year.

Who the hell would compare Giddey to Joe Ingles? They are nothing alike.

[NatP4]

Giddey is a legit double digit assist primary initiator. He has pure PG skills. No idea where the secondary ball handling 3-4 assist Batum/Ingles comparisons even come from. That’s not him at all. You have a former NBA guard in Brandon Paul as his backcourt partner on the 36ers that clearly defers and plays an off ball role while Giddey handles the ball in pick and rolls all game. He easily has the best vision in the entire draft.

Makes little difference who he guards on the other end. You could easily just play a smaller guard next to him and let him guard wings. He can still be the primary initiator on the other end. I will add that Tomas Satoransky has been an above average defender for his entire NBA career, and Giddey is every bit as capable as him on the defensive end.

[No-Man]

Satoransky is like worlds better as an athlete

[Ruzious]

Athleticism does get to the heart of the issue with Giddey - and why it'd be really helpful to see him against better competition.

[GimmeDat]

I think Sato is a better run/jump athlete with a stronger frame, but Giddey has more shake with the dribble and is a bit craftier getting to his spots.

I agree that athleticism is a concern, and I want to see how he goes in the NBA, it's hard to tell in that respect, but he's also playing against better competition than almost every college prospect is.

I do vaguely recall Didi Louzada giving him some issues a few months ago when they put him on Josh. I'd have to go back and check that game out properly.

[LewisnotMiller]

I think Sato is a better run/jump athlete with a stronger frame, but Giddey has more shake with the dribble and is a bit craftier getting to his spots.

I agree that athleticism is a concern, and I want to see how he goes in the NBA, it's hard to tell in that respect, but he's also playing against better competition than almost every college prospect is.

I do vaguely recall Didi Louzada giving him some issues a few months ago when they put him on Josh. I'd have to go back and check that game out properly.

I have the same recollection, but only saw about half the game.
I'm also pretty interested in what happens as Giddey becomes stronger. I don't think he's ever going to be a bully ball player (even at his height) but at times his legs don't seem quite under him the way they might be as he gets older, I suspect. His 'shake' creates openings, but also means he's trying to finish off balance, and increased leg strength will help with that.

My two cents.

[LewisnotMiller]

Athleticism does get to the heart of the issue with Giddey - and why it'd be really helpful to see him against better competition.

Along with his shot, and how you feel about it's prospects in the longer term at the NBA level I would say.

[Yuri Vaultin]

Giddey is definitely not a PG come on now, he can't handle it vs PGs if those are his match ups on D, and he absolutely can not defend PGs in space at the next level, please

This could not be further from the truth. I’m seriously questioning whether or not you have watched any 36ers games this year.

Who the hell would compare Giddey to Joe Ingles? They are nothing alike.

Well they are both white Australian men.

It's a lazy AF comparison.

[Nazrmohamed]

Giddey is a legit double digit assist primary initiator. He has pure PG skills. No idea where the secondary ball handling 3-4 assist Batum/Ingles comparisons even come from. That’s not him at all. You have a former NBA guard in Brandon Paul as his backcourt partner on the 36ers that clearly defers and plays an off ball role while Giddey handles the ball in pick and rolls all game. He easily has the best vision in the entire draft.

Makes little difference who he guards on the other end. You could easily just play a smaller guard next to him and let him guard wings. He can still be the primary initiator on the other end. I will add that Tomas Satoransky has been an above average defender for his entire NBA career, and Giddey is every bit as capable as him on the defensive end.

I agree with you but at the end of the day who cares anymore. And what I mean by that is more and more the exact guy 10yr ago you wouldn't thought was the slam dunk guy as the PG is now being moved off ball. I see Lonzo being played off the ball when his primary skill coming in was moving the ball as a primary facilitator. Every chance they get hes playing off the ball. Haliburton same thing, playing off the ball when passing was his college primary skill.

Yet a guy scores 25gm w/5 assist and THATS THE GUY who we should play at PG. And I get part of it, the onus of passing is more spread out and you have even forwards and Cs now who are thier teams best passers but it is different or very non traditional to me. Good thing and why I said who cares is at 6'8 is it the worst thing if he ends up at the 2 or even 3 with that level of passing ability. At least from a teams perspective he may actually end up with more value as a wing who can pass than a point who isn't a huge scorer. My point is if you like him then don't sweat it.

[nate33]

Giddey is a legit double digit assist primary initiator. He has pure PG skills. No idea where the secondary ball handling 3-4 assist Batum/Ingles comparisons even come from. That’s not him at all. You have a former NBA guard in Brandon Paul as his backcourt partner on the 36ers that clearly defers and plays an off ball role while Giddey handles the ball in pick and rolls all game. He easily has the best vision in the entire draft.

Makes little difference who he guards on the other end. You could easily just play a smaller guard next to him and let him guard wings. He can still be the primary initiator on the other end. I will add that Tomas Satoransky has been an above average defender for his entire NBA career, and Giddey is every bit as capable as him on the defensive end.

I agree with you but at the end of the day who cares anymore. And what I mean by that is more and more the exact guy 10yr ago you wouldn't thought was the slam dunk guy as the PG is now being moved off ball. I see Lonzo being played off the ball when his primary skill coming in was moving the ball as a primary facilitator. Every chance they get hes playing off the ball. Haliburton same thing, playing off the ball when passing was his college primary skill.

Yet a guy scores 25gm w/5 assist and THATS THE GUY who we should play at PG. And I get part of it, the onus of passing is more spread out and you have even forwards and Cs now who are thier teams best passers but it is different or very non traditional to me. Good thing and why I said who cares is at 6'8 is it the worst thing if he ends up at the 2 or even 3 with that level of passing ability. At least from a teams perspective he may actually end up with more value as a wing who can pass than a point who isn't a huge scorer. My point is if you like him then don't sweat it.

Very insightful post.

These days, your primary initiator must be an elite offensive player. If not, teams will just switch on screens. If your primary guy can't consistently break down a mismatch in isolation and get off a good shot, then it puts a ceiling on your offense.

Nobody wants Ricky Rubio as the primary initiator anymore. They want Dame Lillard - or better yet, Luka Doncic or James Harden.

That doesn't mean Giddey won't be a great pro. But it will depend on how much his scoring game develops. Great passing is not enough.

[NatP4]

Giddey is a legit double digit assist primary initiator. He has pure PG skills. No idea where the secondary ball handling 3-4 assist Batum/Ingles comparisons even come from. That’s not him at all. You have a former NBA guard in Brandon Paul as his backcourt partner on the 36ers that clearly defers and plays an off ball role while Giddey handles the ball in pick and rolls all game. He easily has the best vision in the entire draft.

Makes little difference who he guards on the other end. You could easily just play a smaller guard next to him and let him guard wings. He can still be the primary initiator on the other end. I will add that Tomas Satoransky has been an above average defender for his entire NBA career, and Giddey is every bit as capable as him on the defensive end.

I agree with you but at the end of the day who cares anymore. And what I mean by that is more and more the exact guy 10yr ago you wouldn't thought was the slam dunk guy as the PG is now being moved off ball. I see Lonzo being played off the ball when his primary skill coming in was moving the ball as a primary facilitator. Every chance they get hes playing off the ball. Haliburton same thing, playing off the ball when passing was his college primary skill.

Yet a guy scores 25gm w/5 assist and THATS THE GUY who we should play at PG. And I get part of it, the onus of passing is more spread out and you have even forwards and Cs now who are thier teams best passers but it is different or very non traditional to me. Good thing and why I said who cares is at 6'8 is it the worst thing if he ends up at the 2 or even 3 with that level of passing ability. At least from a teams perspective he may actually end up with more value as a wing who can pass than a point who isn't a huge scorer. My point is if you like him then don't sweat it.

Very insightful post.

These days, your primary initiator must be an elite offensive player. If not, teams will just switch on screens. If your primary guy can't consistently break down a mismatch in isolation and get off a good shot, then it puts a ceiling on your offense.

Nobody wants Ricky Rubio as the primary initiator anymore. They want Dame Lillard - or better yet, Luka Doncic or James Harden.

That doesn't mean Giddey won't be a great pro. But it will depend on how much his scoring game develops. Great passing is not enough.

Good points, but the new NBA also massively overvalues volume shot creators like Anthony Edwards who doesn’t make anyone around him better. Guys like Kyle Lowry and Chris Paul help your team win much more than someone like Jayson Tatum. Which one is the better isolation scorer against switches?

At the end of the day, Giddey just has to be a solid 3 pt shooter/defender to go along with his ability to make the right play on offense, and he will be a major plus to any team regardless of his position.

[nate33]

I agree with you but at the end of the day who cares anymore. And what I mean by that is more and more the exact guy 10yr ago you wouldn't thought was the slam dunk guy as the PG is now being moved off ball. I see Lonzo being played off the ball when his primary skill coming in was moving the ball as a primary facilitator. Every chance they get hes playing off the ball. Haliburton same thing, playing off the ball when passing was his college primary skill.

Yet a guy scores 25gm w/5 assist and THATS THE GUY who we should play at PG. And I get part of it, the onus of passing is more spread out and you have even forwards and Cs now who are thier teams best passers but it is different or very non traditional to me. Good thing and why I said who cares is at 6'8 is it the worst thing if he ends up at the 2 or even 3 with that level of passing ability. At least from a teams perspective he may actually end up with more value as a wing who can pass than a point who isn't a huge scorer. My point is if you like him then don't sweat it.

Very insightful post.

These days, your primary initiator must be an elite offensive player. If not, teams will just switch on screens. If your primary guy can't consistently break down a mismatch in isolation and get off a good shot, then it puts a ceiling on your offense.

Nobody wants Ricky Rubio as the primary initiator anymore. They want Dame Lillard - or better yet, Luka Doncic or James Harden.

That doesn't mean Giddey won't be a great pro. But it will depend on how much his scoring game develops. Great passing is not enough.

Good points, but the new NBA also massively overvalues volume shot creators like Anthony Edwards who doesn’t make anyone around him better. Guys like Kyle Lowry and Chris Paul help your team win much more than someone like Jayson Tatum. Which one is the better isolation scorer against switches?

At the end of the day, Giddey just has to be a solid 3 pt shooter/defender to go along with his ability to make the right play on offense, and he will be a major plus to any team regardless of his position.

I'd take Tatum over Lowry any day. But that's beside the point. The reason why Lowry is so good isn't just because he is smart with a great feel for the game like Giddey, Lowry is also an elite defender who can switch 1 through 4 despite his size. Giddey hasn't demonstrated that ability yet.

And Chris Paul is essentially the best PG of all time other than Magic (and he is also an all time great defender at his position). Comparing Giddey to him seems pretty ambitious.

I think your Satoransky comparison is a pretty good starting point. Satoransky is definitely a good player who can help a team, but he isn't a star. I think Giddey will help his team too, probably a bit more than Sato on offense, but he would still have to improve a great deal to be an offensive star. And one concern about Giddey is whether or not he can defend at an average or better level in the NBA. Sato is a plus defender, so even if his role-player/facilitator offense isn't necessarily a massive boost for his team, he's never going to hurt you. Giddey might possibly be a bad defender and few teams can afford to start a bad defender unless they're elite offensively.

I'm not trying to hate on Giddey. I like him in the late lottery, but he's not a sure thing. His passing a feel for the game is elite, but you want all of your starters to be either plus defenders or great scorers; and the potential exists that Giddey is neither. If he is neither, he is probably a bench player.

[Wizop]

ESPN says he has declared.

Sent from my phone.

[babyjax13]

Giddey is a legit double digit assist primary initiator. He has pure PG skills. No idea where the secondary ball handling 3-4 assist Batum/Ingles comparisons even come from. That’s not him at all. You have a former NBA guard in Brandon Paul as his backcourt partner on the 36ers that clearly defers and plays an off ball role while Giddey handles the ball in pick and rolls all game. He easily has the best vision in the entire draft.

Makes little difference who he guards on the other end. You could easily just play a smaller guard next to him and let him guard wings. He can still be the primary initiator on the other end. I will add that Tomas Satoransky has been an above average defender for his entire NBA career, and Giddey is every bit as capable as him on the defensive end.

Ingles is effectively Utah's second string point guard. He's averaging 4.4 assists this season, which is his lowest in the past four seasons. He could easily average more in a system that relied on a primary ball handler rather than sharing the load.

[DCasey91]

Better then balmaro
Less star talent then Ball
Less flashy then Bodiroga
Less Athletic then Ball/Sato
More composed age for age. But doesn’t have the ceiling like Ball (scoring/defense/shooting and Ball is the better passer)
I mean he has a better argument then Cade as a 6”8” guard ballhandler though.

13/6/8 type numbers is still really solid just (Star talent factor he’s a bit behind the 8 ball for me. If he flashed scoring potential then a full time primary guard role could be on the cards. I mean a taller Rubio would be nice. But Rubio had defensive chops at that age.)
Tighten up the handle (focus thing, nothing wrong with it’s just loose sometimes, the shot is fine, reps and strength).

But he’ll be a good one.

A highly quality starting PG is a tough gig, you can see where the trend is going. Hybrid guards that can play traditional or full combo. 20+ per game, 7+ assists per night. CP3 is the true marker for that ideal PG balance (NOH days).

Can’t see that for Giddey in the beginning stages.

[The Moose]

back to back triple doubles for Giddey, very impressive

[MemphisX]

This kid has improved so much during this season.

[DCasey91]

Never understood the Kyle Anderson/Joe Ingles comp. Wagner is more Joe like than Giddey is.

Giddey is Lamelos chilled out cousin lol

Definitely not a sleeper anymore. If he can score (look I’ll be honest everyone can score in this league) 17+ppg a game once psychically developed then there might be something really special here.

[EvanZ]

Never understood the Kyle Anderson/Joe Ingles comp. Wagner is more Joe like than Giddey is.

Giddey is Lamelos chilled out cousin lol

Definitely not a sleeper anymore. If he can score (look I’ll be honest everyone can score in this league) 17+ppg a game once psychically developed then there might be something really special here.

OH man if he can psychically develop the passing would be incredible.

[DCasey91]

Never understood the Kyle Anderson/Joe Ingles comp. Wagner is more Joe like than Giddey is.

Giddey is Lamelos chilled out cousin lol

Definitely not a sleeper anymore. If he can score (look I’ll be honest everyone can score in this league) 17+ppg a game once psychically developed then there might be something really special here.

OH man if he can psychically develop the passing would be incredible.

Yeah watching them both over again game for game Ball is obv a better athlete and plays with that zany, crazy ball brother energy. Just wished Giddey would produce more of his own individual offense. Lamelo doesn’t have a conscious when it comes to offense good or bad and once he settled in (even though he still had big games he also had worse ones) he got a ton better.

Giddey is coming on late too just like Ball did. He’s a natural, best skilled player since Bucks Bogut for us.

Giddey settled in straight away the shot wasn’t falling but he plays more methodical because he isn’t as paced as Ball. Ball is taller/more length but half the advanced stuff they do is the exact same carbon copy. It’s the small tiny bits at the end that makes Ball special. Giddey has that thing, I see it more with Ball though.

They’ll both pack on size and being that height they’ll read defenses pretty easily, Giddey plays PNR/OOB arguably the best in the whole draft as a PG. can be a linker, but give him keys to a second unit and he’ll cook. His upside though is top 5 easy in this draft.