ESPN Analysts Calls For OKC Thunder to Bench Josh Giddey
Despite the OKC Thunder fighting for the top seed in the Western Conference, there are still some burning questions that have to be answered before the postseason. One of those, as is for every team, comes down to the rotations. Who should start? Who should close? What matchups will force you to play a certain style?
These are the questions that make the postseason fun every year, the constant chess matches teams go through to finally hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy in the end. Regardless of the Thunder's 42-19 record, good enough for second in the West a half-game back of the top seed, many have questioned if Josh Giddey should remain in the starting five.
When healthy, the Thunder have consistently run out a first five of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. While Giddey's shooting has raised some fit questions, it has allowed OKC to rack up regular-season wins.
However, on the latest episode of the Hoop Collective Podcast, Tim Bontemps raised some concerns about the sustainability of this group.
"We have talked about the Josh Giddey thing, it did not work again [Against the Lakers]. It was not good, They are just not guarding him, teams are just not guarding him at all. I don't want to quite say it is 'unserious' that he continues to start but it is getting pretty close to that point," Bontemps said.
"To me, they should be starting to prepare [for a deep playoff run] now and having him continue to be out there in these situations right now, in the starting lineup, When I think we all agree if they just run this way in the playoffs, and just have [Josh Giddey] start every game, it is going to end shorter than it probably should," The ESPN Insider spouted when discussing the Thunder's loss to the Lakers.
"I want someone out there that teams are going to guard, because you are playing 4-on-5 on offense and that is not sustainable in the playoffs, it's just not," Bontemps explained when asked what the solution is for the OKC Thunder.
While it is yet to be seen if the Thunder will shake up the initial group, and if Bontemps is right, Giddey has turned in a career-low in minutes per game this season. Mark Daigneault has not been afraid to yank the former sixth-overall pick and play a hot hand over him with the game in the balance.
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