‘Can’t do a lot about it’: Fans mercilessly boo Josh Giddey in Bulls debut

Josh Giddey’s debut for the Chicago Bulls has not gone to plan after the Aussie star was stunned by the scenes in New Orleans.

Aussie NBA star Josh Giddey admitted he was “surprised” by the reception from fans in New Orleans after he was mercilessly booed throughout his debut for the Chicago Bulls.

Giddey played 30 minutes in his first regular season game for the Bulls, tallying 14 points, five rebounds and three assists as the Pelicans claimed a 123-111 victory.

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Brandon Ingram starred for the Pelicans, scoring 33 points, while CJ McCollum added 23 points. Zach LaVine led the way for the Bulls with 27 points, while Nikola Vucevic added 21 points and 11 rebounds.

But the big talking point was the crowd’s reception for Giddey, with the 22-year-old booed when he was announced as one of Chicago’s starters and every time he touched the ball.

It was a mixed night at best for Giddey, who shot five from 11 from the field, including having several lay ups blocked and missing his only three-point attempt as his teammates largely avoided the Aussie.

He also had three turnovers and finished a team low of -22 while he was on court.

Giddey had his first regular season outing for the Bulls. Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Giddey issues from the arc have been well documented and it appears his new teammates don’t yet trust him to drain it from three.

However, the reaction from the crowd in New Orleans even surprised Giddey as he addressed the scenes after the match.

“I’m surprised it’s still gone on the way it was tonight,” Giddey said.

“It threw my teammates off, they’ll talk to me about it too, so …

“Obviously this one was pretty loud, every touch. I definitely heard them.

“It is what it is, I can’t do a lot about it, I can’t do a lot about it. I’m used to it now.”

Fans were also surprised by the situation.

The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry posted: “Hearty boos for Josh Giddey as he’s introduced as a Bulls starter down in New Orleans.”

“Giddey still being boo’d relentlessly every time he touches the ball,” Bull beat writer Will Gotlieb tweeted.

Another fan said: “Josh Giddey really be getting boo’d in every stadium.”

Despite only playing one match for the Bulls so far, it’s been a tough start at the new club for Giddey.

Giddey has to keep working on the three-point shot. Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP

Last season while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Giddey was at the centre of a police investigation in allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl.

However, Giddey was never charged and police closed an investigation into the allegations in January after it was “unable to corroborate any criminal activity.”

The NBA also closed its investigation with ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reporting the league had “come to a similar conclusion”.

But that hasn’t stopped fans who booed him throughout last season from continuing the trend into the 2024-25 season.

Giddey, who turned 22 on October 10, was also brutally trolled on social media after his new club posted a birthday message on Instagram — but left the comments on.

The post provoked an enormous response and while there were a huge number of supportive comments, plenty more were not, with many unsurprisingly referring to the allegations Giddey faced last year.

Giddey comment on the post, writing: “Thank u,” along with a heart emoji. He then added: “Damn … these comments.”

The Bulls also rejected a rookie extension for Giddey after the Aussie sought a reported minimum $US30m ($A45m) per year on his next deal.

Shortly after being traded to the Bulls, Giddey said his potential contract extension was “not the be-all, end-all for me” and “either way is fine”.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said he was told “there was never really any meaningful negotiations there”.

Originally published as ‘Can’t do a lot about it’: Fans mercilessly boo Josh Giddey in Bulls debut