‘Steely toughness’: Why Boomers coach Brian Goorjian believes Josh Giddey is primed to become an NBA superstar
Boomers coach Brian Goorjian will hand the keys to Josh Giddey to run the team at the Paris Olympics – declaring the gifted guard can join the likes of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant as an NBA superstar.
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Boomers coach Brian Goorjian will hand the keys to Josh Giddey to run the team at the Paris Olympics – declaring the gifted guard possesses the “steely toughness” to help the Australians overcome their toughest path to the podium in Games history.
Goorjian told CODE Sports a season being tested “like no Aussie NBA player ever” has Giddey perfectly placed to take over the reins from veteran duo Patty Mills and Joe Ingles as the program’s future face.
It comes as the veteran coach confirmed Mills and Ingles could start off the bench in Paris in what is shaping as the legendary pair’s final Games.
Giddey, though, is Goorjian’s immediate focus as he prepares to play through the rising NBA star during this year’s Olympics.
“Josh is the guy,” Goorjian declared about Giddey, as the Boomers await a tough group stage Olympic draw against Canada and the likes of Spain, Slovenia or Greece.
“The skill that he has and what he is, we’re going to put the ball in his hands and he is going to be making the decisions.
“He is the one when you are on the sideline and you’re calling him over because it’s his game.
“He is the front door of the house to when that ball crosses half court, he is Patty’s bloodline, he is Joe (Ingles) bloodline and the same with (Jock) Landale.”
Giddey excelled in his first appearance for Australia at last year’s World Cup in Japan.
It wasn’t an ideal campaign for the Boomers, who bombed out to finish 10th, but the team’s youngest star shone brightly on the big stage.
Giddey received the tournament’s inaugural Rising Stars award after averaging 19.4 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists across five games.
It was a standout display that gave Goorjian hope despite a disappointing World Cup for a strong Australian side.
“When I walked out of last year’s World Cup, I didn’t get this done or that done and I’ve got to get better here, but I gave myself a pat on the back about Josh,” he said.
“It’s like, hey man, right decision.
“We got a lot under our belt and we’re not going anywhere different leading into Paris.
“You look at him now - he is on a team (OKC Thunder) that has a chance to win a championship and he is a piece that they don’t have.
“Other teams have maybe got better players or whatever, but what Josh does is unique.”
Destined for ‘greatness’
Goorjian reckons you need a “little nasty” in you to excel under the NBA’s bright lights. In a competitive world dominated by big pay checks and bigger egos, it’s easy for any player to get sucked in and spat out.
Giddey has experienced this reality following the most challenging six months of his young 21-year-old life to date.
On top of dealing with a reduced role in OKC’s rotation behind stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a form slump, the Melbourne-born guard was faced with a police investigation following allegations of an improper relationship with an under-age girl.
The claims proved to be unfounded, but at the time, Giddey copped a barrage of boos and cat calls during every NBA game he played.
Goorjian was “front and centre” and “squirmed” in his seat as the Sacramento Kings crowd tormented the young Aussie with merciless heckling during a game last December.
“And Josh had a steely toughness to him,” he recalled about Giddey, who will play a Dallas side in the Western Conference second round that features Boomers teammates Dante Exum and Josh Green.
“He had 16 points in the second half and I don’t know many young kids who can come from here and do that.
“Now he has got the whole stadium screaming every time he touches the basketball and he was just steely tough.
“He has got through it, come out the other side and now he is dealing with a role (change) situation at the Thunder.
“Sometimes he’ll score 10 points and not play for another 13 minutes.
“He has dealt with all of that and still helps them (OKC) win.”
For a player to be “great” in the NBA, Goorjian believes they must dig deep into their resolve and stare adversity in the face.
He couldn’t be prouder of Giddey for refusing to take a backwards step when the challenging times hit.
The Boomers star is now excelling on a title-contending Thunder team that will take on the Mavericks in the second round of the NBA playoffs, starting on Wednesday.
Goorjian has no doubts this resilience can pave the way for Giddey to fulfil his ceiling, which in his eyes is “greatness”.
“I’m seeing in Josh that side where we may get an NBA superstar, not a star, we could get an NBA superstar at the end of it,” he said.
“Because you look at Durant, Irving, LeBron, and Kobe – they’ve all got something to them.
“Josh is getting an education there and he hasn’t been burnt up, he is coming out the other side.
“I think that is going to be even more beneficial for the Boomers what has taken place this year.
“And for his first year in it – and to be handed the keys (at the 2023 World Cup), he did a pretty good damn job.
“So, I’m very, very excited about Josh.”
NBA PLAYOFFS- WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND (SEMI-FINALS)
Game 1: OKC Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks from 11.30am on Wednesday, May 8
Battle of the Boomers:
Josh Giddey (Thunder) vs Dante Exum and Josh Green (Mavericks)
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