Josh Giddey Could Make All-Star Jump in Coming Season
Last year, Oklahoma City’s All-Star drought ended with the selection of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The young guard could become a perennial All-Star with his continued rise through the league and his role with the Thunder. However, the Thunder is a team with tons of young players who have the potential to be selected too, eventually, and join SGA with high honors.
This season could be one where Thunder teammates join Gilgeous-Alexander in the All-Star game. And Josh Giddey has one of the better chances to be an All-Star in the future.
Giddey has become a double-double machine and even notches the occasional triple-double. In his short career Giddey has already notched 44 double-doubles and eight triple-doubles. For a comparison, that is 10 more double-doubles than Russell Westbrook recorded in his first two seasons.
Last season Giddey was the second fiddle to Gilgeous-Alexander and should continue in that role this season. Giddey can do it all and finds a way to fill up the stat sheet, which will help him come voting time for the All-Star game.
Last season Giddey averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. For a long stretch in the first half of the season, Giddey was close to averaging a double-double, which could be a possibility this season.
A major factor in Giddey’s success has been his consistent offensive improvements including his shooting form and efficiency. Giddey’s field goal percentage rose nearly seven full percentage points between his rookie year and last season.
Giddey has the chance to be the next star in the NBA and is a pillar of the Thunder’s core. For him, the next step is a nod into the All-Star game, with this season being the beginning of his window.
There’s no mistaking that Gilgeous-Alexander will have the best chance to continue being an All-Star, but with Giddey being a rising star and entering his third season in the league, an All-Star level jump could be in the cards.
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