Stiles Points: Josh Giddey's Swing Skill Has Been on Display In Great Stretch

Josh Giddey has found success and is peaking at the right time. The OKC Thunder have seen him improve in a key area that can produce sustained production.

Mar 20, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) walks down / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder (51-22) have consistently been one of the league's best teams. However, throughout the season their former sixth overall pick has struggled to find his fit in an ever-changing role.

Josh Giddey hasn't been bashful about his junior season trials and tribulations though it does deserve context. The most easiest explanation is that Giddey is just 21-years-old and it is normal for a young prospect to face ups and downs early in their careers. However, for the former NBL star, it goes deeper than that.

On top of his age, this is the third straight season Giddey has been forced to deal with change. Disregarding the changing of countries even, on the court the shape and make up of the Thunder roster has dramatically changed the former lottery pick's role.

Giddey in his rookie season played a role similar to his NBL career. While he and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander experienced some growing pains Gilgeous-Alexander played just 35 games that season. Not enough of a sample size to judge or even adjust to playing off another guard.

In his second season not only did the Thunder start winning more and their backcourt share the floor more, but a new on-ball player was introduced in Jalen Williams. The 2022 Lottery pick eventually became a go-to option alongside the 2021 selection. A delicate balance that the Thunder navigated and found success, even winning a game in the postseason.

Then, you get to year three where Giddey has not been good overall. On top of the expectations rising, the introduction of another top piece in Chet Holmgren, the progression of a more aggressive Williams, and MVP-caliber play from Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey has also faced a new defensive coverage.

Due to his lack of shooting and the need to counter Holmgren who can not be defended straight up by a heavy-legged center while taking away driving lanes from a cut-and-drive-heavy offense, teams began sticking their big men on Giddey to cram the Thunder offense.

On top of being a basketball issue on the court, off the court, Giddey would stay awake at night behind facing off with a team that would deploy this strategy he revealed on Friday after an impressive win over the Suns.

In the month of March, things have turned around for Giddey in a big way. However, it is not just the raw production numbers of 16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.2 stocks and just 1.9 turnovers per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor, 40 percent from beyond the arc and 77 percent at the charity stripe that is eye-popping. It is the sustainability of the turnaround that is the most encouraging aspect.

While many fret about his distance shooting, Giddey's true swing skill is going to be his ability to finish around the rim with his 6-foot-9 frame. This has been an issue that has plagued the 21-year-old throughout his NBA career shooting 57 percent, 62 percent and 59 percent at the rim in three seasons. Combine that with his lackluster outside shot and you see the obvious offensive flaws.

However, with his passing ability if he can become a scorer inside the arc things really begin to open up for Giddey. He can be used as a cutter, screener with playmaking out of the short roll, or even in the dunker spot as a quick-decision maker to help ease his off-ball fit. Then, a more aggressive off-the-catch approach would be rewarded and punish teams for giving him space.

That has been the biggest difference in March, along with a pair of four-plus triple games. Giddey's ability to play in that space finishing at the rim at a 69 percent clip in the month of march to go along with 59 percent in the mid-range on 51 shot attempts ranking in the 96th percentile.

On top of making quicker reads and being more decisive, Giddey has gotten downhill harder while using his body to seal off defenders and finish around the ring in this 14-game stretch.

If Giddey's rim-finishing improvement continues the Thunder become more lethal as a whole, already being one of the most dangerous squads in the NBA, and the 21-year-old appears to be figuring it out.

Stiles Points:

• The Oklahoma City Blue finished the regular season on a high note securing the win in Delaware against the Blue Coats. The Blue have clinched a spot in the G League playoffs for the first time in five seasons. The Blue will host their first-round matchup of the single-elimination postseason in the Paycom Center on Tuesday.
• The Thunder open up a five-game eight-day road trip on Sunday against New York in Madison Square Garden where their star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Quad) remains doubtful.
• In four games against the Knicks, Giddey is averaging 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists per game. Two of Giddey's nine triple-doubles have been registered against the Knicks in New York.
• The Thunder and Timberwolves remain tied for the top seed in the Western Conference with the Nuggets a half-game back in the standings. A big Sunday is on tap in the association seeing the Thunder battle the Knicks, the Timberwolves take on the Bulls and the Nuggets battling the Cavs.

Song of the Day: New York, New York by Frank Sinatra.

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