CHIP ON SHOULDER
BASKETBALL’S best shooting coach, Chip Engelland, has helped Josh Giddey shatter second-year syndrome to become Australia’s leading NBA player. It’s a big statement to make given Giddey is still a sophomore, but it’s exactly what he has achieved, according to Aussie hoops great Andrew Bogut.
Bogut has been locked on the Giddey bandwagon all season, naming the rising Boomers guard the NBA’S Australian player of the week five times on his podcast Rogues Bogues.
“In my opinion Josh Giddey is the best Australian basketball player in the world as of today,” Bogut said via Twitter.
“Josh just continues to get better, and I’m really excited about his growth.”
Bogut’s high praise for Giddey isn’t isn t a coincidence when you look at the guard’s statistical improvement this season. He shot just 26.3 per cent from beyond the arc in his rookie campaign – a number that has increased to 32.6 this season.
Giddey has also improved his field goal percentage (41.9 to 48.4 per cent) and free throw percentage (70.9 to 79.7).
He recently had the best week statistically of his career, both for scoring and his overall line when he averaged 22.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.25 assists per game.
Respected voices like Bogut have been blown away by Giddey’s brilliance, which has helped a rebuilding OKC Thunder side climb within reach of the playoffs.
The Thunder are just two wins outside the play-in tournament – in 11th spot in the Western Conference. Giddey credits his growth, growth especially offensiveoffensive ly, to working alongside legendary shooting coach Engelland.
Engelland, an assistant coach at the Thunder, spent 17 years with the San Antonio Spurs working with Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Dejounte Murray. Now Giddey is benefiting from the veteran coach’s expertise.
“I’ve taken full advantage of it, and I’ve been in the gym working with Chip every day,” Giddey said.
“He is always in my ear talking to me and texting me when he is not on the road with us.
“A lot of it is confidence. He (Chip) didn’t try and change too much, and the shot is feeling good. Hopefully, I’m heading in the right direction, and Chip has played a big part in that. He has been awesome for me. For the Thunder to have that kind of care and passion for me to get betterbetter, better, to bring in someone like that (Chip), really meant a lot.”
Giddey’s success on the NBA stage is making plenty of people in Australia smile, including Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman, who played NBL alongside Josh’s dad Warrick at the now-defunct Melbourne Tigers in the early 1990s.
The United mentor couldn’t be prouder to see Giddey Jr create his own path in the NBA.
“Wazza was an exceptional passer and defender, but now Josh with that size, vision and understanding of quick reads of what people are going to do, I just love watching him play and pass,” Vickerman said.
“If you’re a lover of people sharing the basketball, you’re a lover of Josh Giddey.
“If Josh continues the way he’s going I hope to see him in that All-star game.”