In what’s been a rollercoaster season for Josh Giddey, can he go to another level by improving in one key area?
Plus Ben Simmons closes in on his return, Dyson Daniels’ defensive impact laid bare, and more!
Below foxsports.com.au looks at how all the Australians in the NBA have been tracking in recent weeks.
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Giddey hits milestone with 1000 assists! | 01:00
JOSH GIDDEY (OKC Thunder)
It continues to be a rollercoaster season for Giddey.
Though he’s had some good games mixed in, the 21-year old Aussie hasn’t quite been able to capture the same consistency of his first two brilliant NBA campaign amid the emergence of Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams moving into a bigger role for the Thunder, the West’s No. 2 seed.
There was some good news last week after it was confirmed Giddey wouldn’t face charges following a police investigation into his alleged relationship with an underage age, though the NBA is still probing the matter.
A weight off the shoulders for what would no doubt be a distraction for Giddey including getting booed by nearly every opposition fan base, he produced one of his best games of the season thereafter against Utah.
The OKC guard racked up a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double with six assists, which marked his second 20-plus point game of the campaign.
For Locked On Thunder’s Rylan Stiles, Giddey being more aggressive in the paint and scoring more efficiently inside the arc is the key to his growth as a player.
“You’re going to want Josh Giddey to get better at scoring inside the arc – that’s going to really be the swing for him. Because he’s just not going shoot enough three-pointers to where it even matters to adjust to him on the perimeter,” Stiles observed.
“That’s not his fault, that’s just not going to be his style of play. And that’s not going to be how the Thunder play – they are not going to feed him 10 three-pointers a game.
“So for Giddey, when he’s played some of his top games of he season, he’s been doing damage at the rim and inside the arc. That’s where you’re going to want to see him thrive.
“That’s where he thrived in FIBA, he can do it. And when he does, it’s going to really unlock things for him.”
BEN SIMMONS (Brooklyn Nets)
Injuries have again plagued Simmons this season, but he appears to be finally nearing a return.
The Aussie, who joined the Nets on their three-game road trip in Portland and LA, warmed up ahead of his team’s upset win over the Lakers, where he was seated courtside for the match at Crypto.com Arena in the most promising sign yet he’s ready to play.
Simmons has been slowly ramping up his activity from a back injury that’s sidelined him since early November. He’s now considered to be on the home stretch of his rehab, which includes participating in five-on-five practice.
The 6-foot-10 guard has featured in only six games, averaging 6.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists for a 17-25 Nets side that sits outside the play in and would be desperate for the former All-Star to get back.
You sense when Simmons does make his return, the Nets will take an ultra conservative approach with him in gradually increasing his workload.
Simmons closer to return in Brooklyn win | 01:06
DYSON DANIELS (New Orleans Pelicans)
Though Daniels’ role has fluctuated as times on a stacked Pelicans team that might have the deepest rotation in the NBA, the youngster has been a valuable defensive weapon whenever called upon by Willie Green.
And the basketball world is taking notice.
Speaking on The Lowe Post, ESPN journalist Zach Lowe recently made mention of Daniels’ tenacity and hustle in an approach that sets the 20-year old apart from others.
“When Dyson Daniels and Herb Jones are on the floor together … it’s not safe…
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