Even LeBron is ‘Giddey’ for Thunder Rook

NBA All-Star Weekend used to be appointment viewing for Oklahoma City Thunder fans, who for years could count on spectacular showings from the likes of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Paul George, who all frequently appeared in the starting lineup.

It’s now been two years, though, since Chris Paul repped OKC by dropping 23 points off the bench in the game.

Last season OKC’s contribution to the weekend came on Friday night when Luguentz Dort and Theo Maledon suited up for the World Team during the Rising Stars game. OKC was back at the Rising Stars last Friday, repped by teenage Aussie Josh Giddey whose star was very much on the rise before the game with back-to-back-toback triple doubles the week before.

With the contest in a revamped format, Giddey suited up for a seven-player squad coached by Hall of Famer James Worthy. Giddey’s performance featured highs and lows; a flashy attempted assist off the backboard resulted in a turnover, and Giddey missed two crucial free throws that contributed to Team Worthy’s onepoint loss.

But Giddey also grabbed a gaudy nine rebounds, by far the most on either team, and hit a long two-point jumper. He also led Team Worthy with six assists.

Giddey’s performance, and triple-double streak, had the league taking notice. LeBron James was highly complimentary when asked about the Thunder rookie, calling him “really, really, really good.”

“He has a great pace about the game. Great vision,” James said. “I’ve always loved pass-first guards who can see plays happen before they happen, and Josh is one of those kids who could definitely see the game a lot quicker than a lot of guys on the floor.

“And he’s shown – I think he got like three straight triple doubles – and he’s just been playing beautiful basketball.”

Giddey’s weekend wasn’t over after his stellar Rising Stars effort. On Saturday night, Giddey returned to the Cleveland court to compete in the Skills Challenge, which annually kicks off the Saturday slate before the famous 3-point contest and dunk contest.

Giddey was paired with two other rookies, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, in a three-team competition against the Antetokounmpo brothers and three Cleveland Cavs. Team Rooks had to go first in each phase of the competition, a tough assignment, but nearly pulled out the victory anyway.

The challenge started with a shooting competition where Giddey posted a higher score than his teammates, despite his supposedly limited range. During the passing contest, where Giddey’s skillset would most come in handy, the rooks weaved between three targets firing chest passes to rack up points.

Team Rooks nearly won that passing competition, where Giddey again led his team, but ended tied with the Antetokounmpos who won the challenge on a tie-breaker.

It was do-or-die for Team Rooks in the relay, which featured shooting and dribbling obstacles up and down the court. Giddey ran the course first and helped his team finish with the best time, propelling Team Rooks to the final round.

The championship contest was simple: Whoever hit a half-court shot the fastest would win. Giddey’s team did it in about 10 seconds, courtesy of Cunningham.

Unfortunately, Team Cavs nailed the halfcourt shot in just two attempts and walked away Skills Competition champions.

Still, Giddey’s weekend was impressive all around. He told the media it was “a dream” to be involved in a competition he was watching on TV just a year ago.

“Every kid watches the All-Star Weekend and wishes they could be in the actual event,” he said.

Giddey is just the latest find from Thunder general manager Sam Presti, who now looks prescient in what most considered to be a curious pick at No. 6 last summer. LeBron himself brought that up on Saturday right after praising Giddey, calling Presti the Thunder’s “MVP.”

“I don’t understand this guy’s eye for talent,” James said. “He drafted KD, Russ, Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson, Josh Giddey and the list goes on and on and on. This guy is pretty damn good.”

James’ comments were more than likely directed at his own embattled GM, the Lakers’ Rob Pelinka. But hey, Thunder fans can dream. Maybe one day LeBron will be sharing the court with Giddey rather than praising him from afar.