‘They said this kid couldn’t shoot’: Josh Giddey proves the NBA wrong in Magic stunner

Aussie Josh Giddey has left the entire NBA with egg on its face with one stat since his move to Chicago proving everyone wrong.

Josh Giddey has claimed his second straight double-double for the Chicago Bulls after a starring performance in his side’s 102-99 win over the Orlando Magic.

Once again, the Aussie’s shooting was in the spotlight, but it was yet another confident performance from Giddey, who scored 20 points, including four-from-four from three-point range.

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Along with his 20 points, Giddey had 11 rebounds, five assists and a steal, while shooting six-from-11 from the floor and four-from-six from the free-throw line.

Giddey was just one point off leading the scoring for the Bulls behind Coby White’s 21-point haul.

While Paolo Banchero continued his hot scoring form with a game-high 31 points for the Magic, following on from his 50-point game against Indiana in his last start, it was Giddey’s accuracy from deep that had tongues wagging.

Helping his side come from 20 points down in the second quarter, Giddey was cooking in the third after he nailed three straight three-pointers as the Bulls held on for the win.

Giddey was on fire against the Magic. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Giddey up. Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP

After being tagged a liability from three-point range so far in his young career, Giddey is way up on his career three-point percentage of 31 per cent. In five matches this season, Giddey has 10-from-17 from three point range for 58.8 per cent.

While it’s a small sample size and more than likely to drop as the season goes on, it’s a big leap so far this year.

Giddey has reportedly been working with Bulls director of player development Peter Patton on his shot and it’s beginning to show.

“He is starting to shoot that shot with confidence this year,” Bulls broadcast analyst Stacey King noted.

After Giddey drained his second three, King added: “They said this kid couldn’t shoot, and he is surprising the critics … Giddey up!”

In previous season, teams have chosen not to defend the Aussie from distance as he had been hit and miss whether he’d knock it down.

However, any team thinking of trying it now may have to think again.

Giddey has been on fire to start the season. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry tweeted: Giddey is 4-for-4 on 3s tonight against Orlando, and he just walked into a transition 3 for his fourth long-range make.

“The Bulls’ 3-point shot has come alive, and they’ve used it to erase a 20-point deficit for the second time in as many games.”

Another fan said of Giddey: “That’s the guy to build this franchise around for the next decade.”

Another commented: “Josh Giddey was on fire! He’s really showing out this season — his playmaking and hustle are next level.”

A third suggested: “I know we all love Caruso but I think we can all admit Giddey is better than him and that OKC was just too stacked in a way he couldn’t be fully used. Between that and the distractions last year wasn’t an indicator of his talent.”

A fourth added: “Could potentially be Most Improved Player if given the keys to the team. Such an underrated player!”

The Bulls will now have a day off before Giddey comes up travel to New York to play Ben Simmons’ Brooklyn Nets.

Originally published as ‘They said this kid couldn’t shoot’: Josh Giddey proves the NBA wrong in Magic stunner