Josh Giddey - 6'8 Aussie PG

[DaBolden76]

Giddey was impressive in his debut game today.

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2/5 from 3 isn't bad. The willingness to shoot seems to be there and that could majorly unlock his game.

His jump shot will improve and it looks a much improved shot since his first NBL game with Adelaide. His ability to create open looks is exciting. Will be interesting if he gets any game time against the US in their final exhibition game.

[BlazersBroncos]

He has an odd hitch but once his shot gets around his shoulder area it looks quite good. Great form from that point and a quality flick/follow through. I think his shot is going to be very correctable.

What worries me the most is that he really is a pedestrian athlete. He is going to have to rely completely on COP, hesitation, IQ, etc. to get to his spots in the league. But as many have shown before him, thats not impossible. And given his current feel for the game at 18, one could argue probable in his case.

[The-Power]

What worries me the most is that he really is a pedestrian athlete. He is going to have to rely completely on COP, hesitation, IQ, etc. to get to his spots in the league. But as many have shown before him, thats not impossible. And given his current feel for the game at 18, one could argue probable in his case.

The problem is that his handle is also underwhelming for a lead Guard.

[Nuntius]

What worries me the most is that he really is a pedestrian athlete. He is going to have to rely completely on COP, hesitation, IQ, etc. to get to his spots in the league. But as many have shown before him, thats not impossible. And given his current feel for the game at 18, one could argue probable in his case.

The problem is that his handle is also underwhelming for a lead Guard.

That's the most concerning issue for me. Elite ball-handling is important for a main ball-handler in the NBA who lacks elite quickness. Luka is a prime example of that. He isn't the fastest player in a straight-line but he has the ball on a string and that along with some of his other attributes (strength, deceleration, size, creativity, flair et cetera) allow him to get to whichever spot he wants.

Giddey has Luka's size and as a passer has a fair amount of creativty and flair but his ball-handling is nowhere near Luka's. It doesn't necessarily needs to be as good as Luka's to be successful but it does need to improve more.

[tiderulz]

What worries me the most is that he really is a pedestrian athlete. He is going to have to rely completely on COP, hesitation, IQ, etc. to get to his spots in the league. But as many have shown before him, thats not impossible. And given his current feel for the game at 18, one could argue probable in his case.

The problem is that his handle is also underwhelming for a lead Guard.

That's the most concerning issue for me. Elite ball-handling is important for a main ball-handler in the NBA who lacks elite quickness. Luka is a prime example of that. He isn't the fastest player in a straight-line but he has the ball on a string and that along with some of his other attributes (strength, deceleration, size, creativity, flair et cetera) allow him to get to whichever spot he wants.

Giddey has Luka's size and as a passer has a fair amount of creativty and flair but his ball-handling is nowhere near Luka's. It doesn't necessarily needs to be as good as Luka's to be successful but it does need to improve more.

i think you mean height. Luka is thicker and stronger and able to get in the key with people and shield them off and not lose the ball. Luka is about 25-30 pounds heavier and stronger.

[Nuntius]

The problem is that his handle is also underwhelming for a lead Guard.

That's the most concerning issue for me. Elite ball-handling is important for a main ball-handler in the NBA who lacks elite quickness. Luka is a prime example of that. He isn't the fastest player in a straight-line but he has the ball on a string and that along with some of his other attributes (strength, deceleration, size, creativity, flair et cetera) allow him to get to whichever spot he wants.

Giddey has Luka's size and as a passer has a fair amount of creativty and flair but his ball-handling is nowhere near Luka's. It doesn't necessarily needs to be as good as Luka's to be successful but it does need to improve more.

i think you mean height. Luka is thicker and stronger and able to get in the key with people and shield them off and not lose the ball. Luka is about 25-30 pounds heavier and stronger.

You are correct, I do mean height. Luka is definitely heavier and stronger. I do think that Giddey can bulk up, though. Maybe not as much as Luka but I do not project strength to be one of his biggest weaknesses. I think he'll be fine in that aspect.

[tiderulz]

That's the most concerning issue for me. Elite ball-handling is important for a main ball-handler in the NBA who lacks elite quickness. Luka is a prime example of that. He isn't the fastest player in a straight-line but he has the ball on a string and that along with some of his other attributes (strength, deceleration, size, creativity, flair et cetera) allow him to get to whichever spot he wants.

Giddey has Luka's size and as a passer has a fair amount of creativty and flair but his ball-handling is nowhere near Luka's. It doesn't necessarily needs to be as good as Luka's to be successful but it does need to improve more.

i think you mean height. Luka is thicker and stronger and able to get in the key with people and shield them off and not lose the ball. Luka is about 25-30 pounds heavier and stronger.

You are correct, I do mean height. Luka is definitely heavier and stronger. I do think that Giddey can bulk up, though. Maybe not as much as Luka but I do not project strength to be one of his biggest weaknesses. I think he'll be fine in that aspect.

he bulks up, that lack of athleticism is really going to show thru

[Nuntius]

i think you mean height. Luka is thicker and stronger and able to get in the key with people and shield them off and not lose the ball. Luka is about 25-30 pounds heavier and stronger.

You are correct, I do mean height. Luka is definitely heavier and stronger. I do think that Giddey can bulk up, though. Maybe not as much as Luka but I do not project strength to be one of his biggest weaknesses. I think he'll be fine in that aspect.

he bulks up, that lack of athleticism is really going to show thru

It's not like it isn't going to show through, anyway. Isn't it better to gain some strength so he can finish better inside and hold off people who could attack his dribble?

[tiderulz]

You are correct, I do mean height. Luka is definitely heavier and stronger. I do think that Giddey can bulk up, though. Maybe not as much as Luka but I do not project strength to be one of his biggest weaknesses. I think he'll be fine in that aspect.

he bulks up, that lack of athleticism is really going to show thru

It's not like it isn't going to show through, anyway. Isn't it better to gain some strength so he can finish better inside and hold off people who could attack his dribble?

true.

[DCasey91]

Once again Giddey is 6”8” and is a great passer that’s where the comp ends with Lamelo and Luka.

Lamelo was taller on the telly and was quick off the mark and just more athletic.

Luka is and was a tank pre draft. Dude is just wide everywhere from the head down. And pounds the ball great even for a 6”3 guard in Eurobasket same with Lamelo in NBL. It’s their handle (brilliant there for their size) along with a whole list of things that Giddey doesn’t have.

Giddey actually has put on some size and that’s encouragable but no way shape in form is he close to either body type/athleticism wise.

[Ruzious]

I have him at 5 - partly because I think he's really good and has developed a nice jump shot with 3 point range - but just as much because I just don't see anyone else that's very good outside of the top 4.

[Nuntius]

Once again Giddey is 6”8” and is a great passer that’s where the comp ends with Lamelo and Luka.

Lamelo was taller on the telly and was quick off the mark and just more athletic.

Luka is and was a tank pre draft. Dude is just wide everywhere from the head down. And pounds the ball great even for a 6”3 guard in Eurobasket same with Lamelo in NBL. It’s their handle (brilliant there for their size) along with a whole list of things that Giddey doesn’t have.

Giddey actually has put on some size and that’s encouragable but no way shape in form is he close to either body type/athleticism wise.

Oh, absolutely. I definitely agree that Giddey has a long ways to go when it comes to ball-handling to reach these two guys. And, frankly, that's the kind of handle that he needs to make it big in the NBA. Otherwise, he'll probably struggle.

[God Squad]

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[Mirotic12]

i think you mean height. Luka is thicker and stronger and able to get in the key with people and shield them off and not lose the ball. Luka is about 25-30 pounds heavier and stronger.

Probably more like 40-50 pounds.

[pad300]

he bulks up, that lack of athleticism is really going to show thru

Not sure about that; some more muscle might actually help his explosion/jumping. Especially if there is a focus on plyometrics (fast power development) in his training.

[Skybox]

he bulks up, that lack of athleticism is really going to show thru

Not sure about that; some more muscle might actually help his explosion/jumping. Especially if there is a focus on plyometrics (fast power development) in his training.

Yes...remember how young this kid is, he could have a very different body in 2 or 3 years-with enhanced athleticism.

[DCasey91]

Base Athleticism though is very very much natural. You either you have it or you don’t. Can work your butt off to be good. But can’t do anything about genetics.

Giddey falls in a weird spot. He’s not twitchy and long and hypo like Lamelo is and he’s not a trundling tank that handles the ball like a 6”2 elite PG like Luka.

I mean I do get the Ingles comp now and why it was made. His handle though has to improve because the height is a great adv. got to capitalize on it as much as possible.

Luka and Lamelo have superb handles. They bang the ball and as good as any.

[NotMyKawhi]

Joe Ingles w more athetlic ablity

[CableKC]

he bulks up, that lack of athleticism is really going to show thru

Not sure about that; some more muscle might actually help his explosion/jumping. Especially if there is a focus on plyometrics (fast power development) in his training.

Yes...remember how young this kid is, he could have a very different body in 2 or 3 years-with enhanced athleticism.

This is the key thing to remember. He's only 18 years old now and isn't considered a "finished product". For all we know, he could follow a similar trajectory as Lonzo where he actually works on his offensive game to the point where he's not a complete Offensive liability. It took years for that to happen with Lonzo, but he worked on it and became a competent 3pt shooter. But then again, he could turn out to be Simmons-like and not care about improving his offensive game at all.

In the end, drafting him is a gamble. You're gambling that he will become more than just a pass-first PG that has a very limited Offensive skillset now. I doubt that he will be there at #13; but if he is, I hope that the Pacers do draft him.

[Nuntius]

I mean I do get the Ingles comp now and why it was made. His handle though has to improve because the height is a great adv. got to capitalize on it as much as possible.

Luka and Lamelo have superb handles. They bang the ball and as good as any.

Yeah, that's the key for his development. It's more important to him than shooting is, imo. Don't get me wrong, he needs to be able to shoot as well but ball-handling is the primary priority. His handles are good for his size but they need to be elite for all sizes if he wants to succeed.