In his first 12 months in the league, Giddey confirmed that he was deserving of his choice because the sixth choose in the 2021 draft.
The Thunder guard put up stellar numbers final 12 months, resulting in 4 rookie of the month honors. No different participant in the 2021 class earned the award greater than twice.
All 4 of Giddey’s rookie of the month awards got here consecutively, with Rockets first spherical choose Jalen Green profitable the ultimate month of the season.
Although Giddey beat out Green 4 of 5 occasions, Green was named to the all-rookie first crew. Franz Wagner, one other member of the primary crew, garnered one rookie of the month victory.
The amount of Giddey’s picks isn’t solely spectacular when in comparison with his rookie counterparts. Players like Michael Jordan, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry did not be honored greater than thrice.
The 6-foot-8 Australian’s historic rookie marketing campaign left followers excited for what’s to come back in Giddey’s second season in the league. Comparing the now-second 12 months participant’s stats to different younger guards’ first 12 months numbers offers an perception into what viewers can count on from Giddey if he develops into the star that Oklahoma City hopes he could be.
In 2020-21, LaMelo Ball averaged 15.7 factors, 6.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds per sport as a rookie for the Charlotte Hornets. Ball is a key comparability to Giddey, as each are billed to be tall guards who can move, rebound and rating. Like Giddey, the Hornets guard was drafted after enjoying in the NBL.
Ball made an spectacular leap from 12 months one to 12 months two, averaging 20.1 factors, 7.6 assists and 6.7 rebounds per sport final season. The Chino Hills, California, native’s second-year output earned him an all-star nod final season.
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Ball’s three level share rose by greater than three p.c whereas making an attempt two extra three-pointers per sport after his rookie season.
In the draft class previous to Ball’s, the Memphis Grizzlies picked future famous person Ja Morant second general. Morant’s second-year statistics elevated incrementally from his rookie totals.
Morant averaged only one.3 extra factors, 0.1 extra assists and 0.1 extra rebounds per sport in 2020-21 than in 2019-20. The Murray State product’s soar into stardom got here between his second and third 12 months in the NBA.
The 2018 draft introduced two famous person level guards into the league, Atlanta’s Trae Young and Dallas’ Luka Dončić. Even with spectacular first 12 months campaigns, Young and Dončić made huge strides in 2019-20.
The Mavericks guard jumped from 21.2 factors, six assists and seven.8 rebounds per sport to twenty-eight.8 factors, 8.8 assists and 9.4 rebounds per sport. Young soared from 19.1 factors, 8.1 assists and three.7 rebounds to 29.6 factors, 9.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds per sport.
The Hawk’s star’s discipline aim share rose by almost two p.c whereas his three-point share elevated by over 4 p.c. This is the realm in which Giddey must see probably the most development.
The 2021 lottery choose’s enchancment as a shooter can be pivotal in his growth, because the 2022 Second Team All-Rookie nominee struggled to persistently put the ball in the basket from past the arc. If Giddey can knock down pictures at a larger clip, he can be set to make a leap much like the league’s different younger stars.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link