Josh Giddey's Restored Confidence has Been Immensely Well-Timed

The Thunder's third-year guard has recouped his ability as a playmaker and scorer at a perfect time.

Apr 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) shoots / Scott Kinser-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Giddey was one of the biggest question marks to this budding Oklahoma City team through the first few months of play into the 2023-24 season, his third-year campaign in the association.

The question mark wasn't being emitted from the Thunder's front office of course, but rather many outsiders who doubted his ability to assimliate within this young, talented squad chock-full of depth. And while much of it wasn't necessarily warranted, he certainly had some egregious moments and games full of strife early on in the year.

He'd regressed in nearly every facet of his game from the season prior, and looked out of sorts night in and night out, and it worstened into December, then January and February. From December to February, he'd make a near two-point regression in his point average, and dock his shooting percentage by 5%, as well as his 3-point shooting by nearly 10%.

Critics were upset he was still solidified in the starting lineup, and rejoiced when his minutes were being replaced in tight games down the stretch.

But there was a clear turning point for the 21-year-old Thunder guard, and it came in March. He found a sense of efficiency, consistency and the capabilty of working within the flow of this Thunder offense. It showed visibly. Not forcing unnecessary errors, rising up against defenders at the rim with conviction, and leaning into the 3-point shots that teams were disrespectfully allowing him to take.

It was a clear 180, and it had came at the most ideal time for a Thunder team that's seeking its first playoff run since 2019-20.

In March, Giddey improved greatly to average 16.3 points on 57.2% from the field and 41.4% from three, along with 7.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists a night. He'd embraced the uncomfortability and progressed through it, helping lead Oklahoma City to a number of wins and stand tall at the top of the West heading into April.

Now, he's beginning to maintain that consistency through a fairly large sample size, and it's benefitted himself and Mark Daigneault, who would've had a tough decision to make concerning playoff minutes if Giddey had not reestablished his confidence.

Daigneault and the Thunder will need Giddey into the playoffs, and it's something that a lot of detractors would not have envisioned after his vastly struggle-filled start to the season.

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