Josh Giddey’s humble response to breaking another NBA record

Aussie Josh Giddey broke another NBA record for the Oklahoma City Thunder but his classy response shows he means business.

Josh Giddey broke another NBA record against the LA Lakers. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Australian rookie Josh Giddey has continued his impressive start to his NBA career, setting another franchise record in his latest appearance for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

OKC went down 116-95 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday but Giddey had another excellent all-round performance, racking up 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

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It was the first time a Thunder rookie had finished four games with 10 or more points and at least seven rebounds and assists in a game.

It’s not the first record Giddey has set in his first NBA season either, as he continues to make a big impression.

Earlier this season, the 19-year-old claimed the most rebounds ever by a Thunder player on debut and he also joined LeBron James and LaMelo Ball as just the third teenager in NBA history to reach 100 assists and 100 rebounds in their first 20 games.

Giddey was in fine form against the Lakers and showcased his trademark playmaking skills when he fired off a laser-like pass to set up teammate Derrick Favors for an open dunk.

The young rook @joshgiddey continues to impress. 12 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists today vs the Lakers. @okcthunder#ThunderUp#NBA75pic.twitter.com/FaDjPioWFK

— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) December 11, 2021

His highlight play came when Giddey torched NBA veteran Carmelo Anthony with a silky-smooth spin move to score a lay-up, with many fans declaring it looked like the youngster had put Anthony on a spin cycle in a washing machine.

gosh, did he 🤩@joshgiddey | #ThunderUppic.twitter.com/cWo7k6kyZe

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 11, 2021

Josh Giddey just hit 'Melo with the spinaroonie #Thunder#OKC

— Cliff Brunt (@CliffBruntAP) December 11, 2021

But Giddey had three turnovers and a mixed shooting performance (5-for-12 overall, 0-for-5 on three-pointer attempts).

His efforts couldn’t get his team over the line as LeBron James scored 33 points to lead the Lakers to a comfortable win over the mistake-prone Thunder.

James had an immediate impact, scoring Los Angeles’ first six points of the game. He shot 13 of 20 from the field, including making nine of 10 shots in the opening half.

Josh Giddey torches Carmelo Anthony for a nice lay-up.

Giddey gave Melo the spin cycle treatment. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Avery Bradley scored 11 of his season-high 22 points in the third quarter for the Lakers.

Oklahoma City was its own worst enemy, missing its first 12 three-point attempts. Rookie Tre Mann scored a team-high 19 points.

Giddey was pleased to be making an impact but said his record-breaking exploits were “meaningless” unless they helped the Thunder secure more victories.

OKC is currently second last in the Western Conference standings with just eight wins.

“The stats are cool and stuff but if it’s not resulting in wins then I guess it’s meaningless,” Giddey said after the game.

“I (would) rather have no stats and win than have numbers and lose.”

Giddey said it was always going to be a tough ask to defeat the Lakers when the Thunder was shooting the ball poorly.

“They made a lot of tough shots and we missed a lot of open ones,” he said.

“There’s gonna be nights like this. It’s the NBA”.

With AFP

Originally published as Josh Giddey’s humble response to breaking another NBA record