NBA: Why Aussie teen sensation Josh Giddey is about to get even better

Aussie Josh Giddey has been lighting up the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder and soon he’ll have even more chances to impress.

Josh Giddey will soon have even more opportunity to shine. Picture: Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

Josh Giddey has exploded in his NBA rookie season and the young Aussie will now have even more chances to shine thanks to a tactical change implemented by his coach at the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Since being selected with pick six of the most recent draft, 19-year-old Giddey has lit up the NBA with his laser-like passing game, basketball IQ and knack for pulling down rebounds.

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has been blown away by the Aussie.

“He’s a really good player. He’s just getting better and better every month,” Daigneault said.

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Daigneault has been so impressed by Giddey’s on-ball play that he is set to give the Aussie more opportunity to lead the Thunder’s offence going forward.

Daigneault explained that when Giddey and the Thunder’s other starting guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander share the court on offence, the Aussie can now expect to have the ball more often.

Fans got a taste of the change in the Thunder’s 124-104 loss to the high-flying Phoenix Suns on Friday afternoon (AEDT).

“It’s going to take a load off Shai,” Daigneault explained.

“Josh is really good on ball and part of maximising the team is nurturing that.

“It’s an evolution of those two players who are really good players that we are going forward with.”

Josh Giddey is going to have more of the basketball. Picture: Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

Giddey lauded Gilgeous-Alexander for agreeing to the move, which will take opportunities away from the American on offence.

“It speaks to how he is as a guy,” Giddey said.

“He’s really unselfish. He could have 50 (points) a lot of nights. He buys into what we’re trying to build here.

“I love playing with him. I think our chemistry is getting better. I think in a few years we could be one of the best back courts in the league.”

“I know to be one of the best teams in the league, which we want to be very soon, you’ve got to have multiple guys that can play on ball,” Gilgeous-Alexander added.

Josh Giddey (left) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander form a potent combination. Picture: Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

The move may just help Giddey shatter even more records than he already has since arriving in the NBA.

Giddey had scored a triple double in each of the Thunder’s last three games prior to Friday.

He is now the first, second, third and fourth youngest player in NBA history to record a triple double and the first rookie since the 1960-61 season to post one in three consecutive games.

The reigning Western Conference Rookie of the Month, Giddey also took part in both the Skills Challenge and Rising Stars mini-tournament at All Star Weekend last weekend.

Giddey’s team crashed out of the Rising Stars tournament early, but the Aussie impressed in the Skills Challenge.

Originally published as NBA: Why Aussie teen sensation Josh Giddey is about to get even better