Josh Giddey believes a “change of surroundings” would be the good tonic to unlock his “full potential” as he opened up on the conversations that led to his exit from the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
Chatting with the media for the primary time as a Chicago Bulls participant, Giddey acknowledged he had come off a “robust 12 months” with the Thunder, particularly given the way in which his first playoffs marketing campaign fizzled out.
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With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams rising as the 2 main guards, it positioned Giddey into a clumsy function that uncovered his defensive weaknesses.
The Australian was finally relegated to the bench for the ultimate two video games of the playoff collection in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks, prompting him to have an sincere dialog with Thunder GM Sam Presti about what got here subsequent.
When Presti conceded Giddey would have a diminished function in his fourth season, the 21-year-old knew he wanted to maneuver on.
“I used to be enjoying much more off-ball and type of in a unique function to what I’ve ever achieved in my profession,” Giddey mentioned.
“So there was no secret that it was going to take some flexibility on my half to slot in with the staff that we had and the construction that we had and the kind of gamers that we had.
“He (Presti) spoke to me about doubtlessly totally different roles, coming off the bench, operating the second unit, issues like that.
“And I simply mentioned to him, at this level in my profession, I’m 21 years previous, it wasn’t one thing that I used to be overly wanting to do. And he fully understood.
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“All through the entire course of, we have been open and sincere with one another. And I mentioned to him, ‘Look, coming off the bench at this level in my profession will not be one thing I’m attempting to do and take a reserve function.’ He obtained it.
“We labored collectively via the entire course of and he obtained me to a terrific spot. I’m very, very excited to be right here in Chicago.”
With the excessive degree of competitors among the many guards in Oklahoma Metropolis stopping Giddey from enjoying to his strengths, he’s already trying ahead to showcasing his finest attributes in Chicago.
“It was going to be onerous to faucet into my full potential, in my view, with a staff like that (Oklahoma Metropolis) with so many proficient guys who wanted the ball of their arms,” Giddey mentioned.
“A change of surroundings was most likely going to unlock that for me.
“Making the sport simpler on all people, with the ability to get guys concerned, distribute the ball, make guys round me assured is what I delight myself to doing.
“It’s onerous to do this when the ball will not be in your arms so much and you might be screening and doing various things.
“For me, that’s the large factor coming right here. I need to be the cross first level guard that I’m and assist teammates generate straightforward seems to be and get them feeling good proper from the get go.”
The playoff collection in opposition to the Mavericks additionally uncovered a few of Giddey’s largest offensive and defensive shortcomings.
Dallas usually designed their defensive set ups to permit Giddey a number of open seems to be as a result of his taking pictures from vary was not on the degree of his teammates and focused the Aussie when the Thunder wanted to defend.
The collection proved to be a steep studying curve for Giddey on what’s required to take his sport to the subsequent degree.
However the Aussie is aware of that dealing with the challenges so early in his profession can solely be an excellent factor as he additional enhances his sport.
“It was most likely a blessing in disguise for me,” Giddey mentioned.
“It taught me what I must work on and the way I must get higher.
“Clearly, taking pictures is a giant one. But additionally the defensive finish is one thing that I believe coming into this low season I switched my mentality.
“I simply realised that to be on the highest degree you’ve obtained to compete at that finish. You’ve obtained to have the ability to sit down and guard guys. That’s a facet of the ball that I need to take delight in.
“I believe the offence will come naturally. But it surely’s that facet of the ball that I need to take steps ahead in to verify when playoff time comes round I’m able to go on either side of the ball and never only one.”