Chicago Bulls legend Horace Grant urges public to hold fire on Josh Giddey criticism

Chicago Bulls legend Horace Grant has had his say on the Josh Giddey scandal, as the Melbourne prodigy continues to be booed in NBA arenas across the US.

A triple championship teammate of basketball legend Michael Jordan has urged the public to pause judgement on Aussie Josh Giddey until the full story of his alleged relationship with a minor is known.

Horace Grant – who won three titles with Jordan’s legendary Chicago Bulls teams in the 1990s – said Giddey deserved the legal process to play out, as US police and the NBA probe allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with a teenager.

“It’s sad but I think he’s got good people around him and he should just let the legal things happen,” Grant said.

“No one knows all the details in the situation.

“From my understanding, he is a nice young man who just got caught up in a situation that unfortunately on both sides shouldn’t have happened.

Josh Giddey (right) in action for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Giddey is being routinely booed by opposition fans. Picture: Getty

“But let the details come out and then let the chips lay where they land.”

Melbourne born and raised, Giddey has been booed by opposing fans but continues to play for Oklahoma City Thunder as investigations continue into an alleged encounter with a 15-year-old while he was 19.

It has been alleged the girl lied about her age when they partied at a nightclub.

Grant, who will visit Melbourne in February as part of a three city “No Bull” tour alongside NBA hall of famer Scottie Pippen and their Chicago championship teammate, Aussie Luc Longley, said Giddey was a unique talent.

“I love his game,” he said.

“He reminds me of a George Gervin, the ‘Iceman’ back in the day.

“He is so smooth.

“From the fundamentals, the shot, even playing some good defence, he is a team player and he is going to be great in this league.”

Horace Grant won three NBA titles as teammate of Michael Jordan in Chicago. Picture: Jonathan Daniel/AllSport

Grant moved to Orlando to play alongside Shaquille O’Neal.

Grant, who won four championships in 17 years in the NBA, said the league was long overdue in bringing a historic first game to Australia.

“It surprises me that an NBA game, exhibition or regular season game hasn’t been played over there – seriously,” he said.

“Because the fans and the people are so passionate about the NBA, about the game of basketball.

“They’ve been in Europe, China, Asia – all over – and not there.

“Hopefully the NBA and the commissioner will definitely consider it.”

And he said it was “a huge mistake” Longley was frozen out of groundbreaking documentary The Last Dance despite winning three championships with Jordan’s Bulls.

“Because he was such a big part of what the Bulls were all about,” he said.

“Determination, heart and work ethic and he should have got more of a present role in that Last Dance.

“But Luc is so humble, man, he’s such a humble person I think that he should have got more of a shine, of a light if you will.”

The NO BULL Tour will be at Margaret Court Arena on February 24, in Tasmania on February 23 and Sydney February 27.

Go to Ticketek for tickets.

Originally published as Chicago Bulls legend Horace Grant urges public to hold fire on Josh Giddey criticism