‘Balled out’: Josh Giddey buries Bucks, shuts up critics

It’s still very much a work in progress but Josh Giddey gave Chicago Bulls fans a glimpse of what they can expect from the Aussie star.

Josh Giddey’s time in Chicago is heading in the right direction after the Aussie had a strong night in his side’s 133-122 road win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Giddey’s first match of his current tenure started inauspiciously when he was mercilessly booed by fans in New Orleans in a 12-point loss in the Bulls’ season opener.

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Although Giddey played just 24 minutes in Milwaukee, the Aussie had 17 points, nine assists and six rebounds in a strong performance.

But even more impressive was Giddey knocking down the game-sealing three, nailing both of his attempts against the Bucks.

While no one has an issue with Giddey’s vision and passing — he was known as the “SLOB Wizard” (SideLine Out of Bounds) in Oklahoma City — his shooting has often left a lot to be desired.

A career 31 per cent shooter from beyond the arc, it’s a promising sign for Giddey, particularly when defenders are still dropping off him when he’s shooting distance.

Giddey knocked down the threes from either side of the court and impressed.

When Giddey knocked down the final three-pointer, CHSN play-by-play analyst Stacey King said: “That’s a confident shot — two confident shots (tonight from three-point land) ... Giddey can shoot.”

It was a good night from Giddey. Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

He also went six from 10 from the field, in a performance that’s bound to give him a bit of confidence.

This is especially good news for the Bulls faithful considering Chicago’s next game is tomorrow night against Giddey’s former side Oklahoma City.

On top of a solid shooting night, Giddey also had some passing highlights, hitting Colby White with a pass through the middle of traffic, that his teammate wasn’t able to drain.

But while fans were quick to slam Giddey on night one, there was a lot more hope after his latest performance.

ESPN’s Olgun Uluc posted: “Josh Giddey dropped 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists; 2/2 3pt, including this one to put the nail in the coffin in a Bulls win over the Bucks. He had that line in

Chicago Bulls beat writer Will Gottlieb commented: “Giddey is really a great passer. Nice find for a back cut dunk for Zach just now... Bulls really need this to keep their half court offence flowing.”

One fan said: “I repeat. Josh Giddey has played a GREAT game of basketball on both sides. The disrespect was loud, so this praise will be louder.”

Another fan called it a “calm performance”, while a third stated Giddey “balled out”.

Another fan pointed out that Alex Caruso, who went from the Bulls to the Thunder for Giddey, had zero points, six rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes in OKC’s season opening 102-87 win over the Denver Nuggets.

It was a big night for the Bulls. Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP

Josh Giddey was balling. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

A Bucks fan added: “Josh Giddey was a great pick-up for the Bulls whether you hate the guy or not.”

Another wrote: “Josh Giddey was run out of Oklahoma from the Thunder mainly because of the media’s constant badgering about Josh not being a good 3pt shooter. He is still only 22 years old and last year when he was with the Thunder, he was beginning to shoot the 3 better.”

The Bulls focused Bloody Horns Podcast tweeted Giddey had already made an impact, writing: “A lot of the faster pace and more shooting we’re seeing is because of the opportunities Giddey is creating.”

The Bulls’ offence was on fire against the Bucks, hitting 21 three-pointers, beating last season’s best effort of 19 just two matches into the season.

Coby White scored 35 points as the Bulls withstood a 38-point, 11-rebound double-double from Milwaukee’s two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose big night included a monster dunk over Nikola Vucevic.

Damian Lillard added 28 points and eight assists for the Bucks, but it wasn’t enough in the end.

In a back-and-forth battle featuring 14 lead changes, Chicago seized the lead for good with 8:52 left in the third quarter when White banked in a shot for a 74-72 lead.

The Bulls were up by seven going into the fourth. Milwaukee cut the lead to just one point on a pair of three-pointers from A.J. Green in the first minute of the period.

But Chicago forward Patrick Williams drained a three-pointer to ignite a 13-1 Bulls run and Chicago closed it out comfortably.

With AFP

Originally published as ‘Balled out’: Josh Giddey buries Bucks, shuts up critics