OKC guard Josh Giddey cops boos at OKC arena against Lakers
Heavily booed in a road clash in the NBA this week, Josh Giddey was on the receiving end of some more hostility against the Lakers.
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The negativity towards Josh Giddey appears to be spreading after the Australian was booed at home during Oklahoma City’s clash with the Lakers on Friday (AEDT).
Giddey is under investigation by Newport Beach Police Department and the NBA over allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
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The 21-year-old received a hostile reception in his last appearance for the Thunder, booed every time he touched the ball by the Minnesota crowd in a 106-103 loss to the Timberwolves on Wednesday.
He had been applauded in the Thunder’s home clash last Sunday, the first OKC game after the allegations broke, but there were a small number of boos heard when he was introduced at the start of Friday’s fixture.
The hostility seemed to end there as unlike the Minnesota game, no more boos were heard being directed at Giddey once the game got underway.
The response comes as the Los Angeles Times published a story, which was also run on Yahoo News, with the headline: Why is Josh Giddey playing for Thunder while police investigate alleged relationship with minor?
The article then went into facts - and some conjecture - about the allegations involving Giddey.
Lakers commentator Bill Macdonald also made reference to the situation before Friday’s match started.
“For the Thunder, of course a lot of attention being paid to Josh Giddey, currently under investigated by the NBA and by the Newport Beach Police Department for possible, improper relationship,” Macdonald said.
“And really the Thunder have no comment other than he’s playing for the time being, so he is out there tonight and when he does play, he’s a good player.”
On Thursday, the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) released a statement with some details about the investigation.
The NBPD is based in California, where the legal age of consent is 18, while the legal age of consent in Oklahoma is 16 and ranges between 16 and 17 in Australia.
Giddey has not been charged with any offence.
“The Newport Beach Police Department is aware of information being circulated online involving an alleged relationship between professional basketball player Josh Giddey and a female minor,” the statement read.
“The Newport Beach Police Department is actively seeking additional information related to these allegations and pursuing all leads and evidence to obtain the facts of the case.
“The Newport Beach Police Department aims to ensure a fair and thorough investigative process while maintaining the privacy and dignity of everyone involved.
“At this time, NBPD Detectives are still conducting an active investigation.”
There was a small amount of reaction on social media to the Thunder game against the Lakers, a key clash between two of the leading teams in the Western Conference.
“Kind of sounded like a mixed reaction for josh giddey,” was one tweet.
“YALL HEAR THE BOOS AT JOSH GIDDEY?” wrote another in all caps.
Allegations against Giddey first arose via an anonymous social media post last Thursday, which has since been deleted.
Giddey said he was unable to comment on the allegations against him during a team media event last Saturday.
“I understand the question obviously, but there’s no further comment right now,” he said.
The Boomers star is currently in the third year of a four-year, $41m rookie contract with the Thunder, but could command significantly more in his next contract given his performances to date in the NBA.
The allegations against Giddey emerged when pictures and videos were posted to social media featuring the Australian with a young woman.
One of the images is of a shirtless Giddey standing behind the woman.
There are videos which feature Giddey supposedly talking to the girl’s brother, in which he says: “I’m here with your beautiful sister.
“Good luck for your season. I hear you’re going to Sacramento soon for a game so best of luck. We’re going to come up and watch you take care of business.”
In another video, where she appears to be standing in the background outside a nightclub, Giddey says: “What’s up my man? We’re at the front of the club, me and my girl, about to head back to mine.”
The legal age to attend a nightclub in the United States is 21.
Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian was asked about the earlier this week and stated Giddey has his “full support”.
The veteran coach is travelling to the United States this month to meet with Giddey and other Boomers playing in the NBA and expected to be made more aware of the situation.
“It’s really out of my wheelhouse,” Goorjian said on the Gold Coast on Monday. “All I’ve done is messaged him and let him know the support is there.
“I am going to go over in early December and see him face-to-face.
“I just want to let him know right now he’s got our full support.”
Oklahoma City has not stood Giddey down, with the guard featuring in his regular place in the starting line-up in each game since the allegations arose.
The Thunder had lost their past two matches to slip to fourth in the Western standings.
But they were far too strong for the Lakers on Friday, recording a 133-110 thrashing to improve to 12-6.
Giddey finished with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting and a team-high eight boards.
Originally published as OKC guard Josh Giddey cops boos at OKC arena against Lakers
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