Josh Giddey: Two Key Areas Where the Bulls’ Rising Star Excels.

Josh Giddey, the Australian guard who recently landed with the Chicago Bulls, has been a topic of increasing interest among analysts and fans alike. Despite a fluctuating early NBA career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Giddey has showcased distinctive skill sets that set him apart from many of his peers. As he embarks on a new chapter with the Bulls, analysts have zeroed in on two critical areas where Giddey consistently excels: elite playmaking and guard rebounding. These two traits not only define his game but also hint at how he could thrive in Chicago’s system.

1. Elite Playmaking Ability

Josh Giddey has been praised for his extraordinary court vision and advanced feel for the game — traits rarely seen in players so early in their careers. Standing at 6-foot-8, Giddey offers a unique advantage as a tall point guard or secondary ball-handler. This height allows him to survey the floor over defenders and make passes that most guards simply can’t see.

During his time with the Thunder, Giddey averaged over 6 assists per game in his first two seasons, including multiple triple-doubles. His assist numbers don’t tell the whole story, though — it’s the quality and variety of his passes that make him elite. Giddey is equally adept at whipping cross-court lasers to corner shooters as he is at dropping bounce passes in tight windows in transition.

His strengths as a playmaker are grounded in several core attributes:

• Vision and Anticipation: Giddey often sees plays develop seconds before they happen. He understands angles and space like a veteran point guard, using subtle body feints to manipulate defenders and open passing lanes.
• Pace Control: He rarely looks rushed. Giddey’s composure allows him to dictate tempo, slow the game down when needed, or push the pace in transition. His handle may not be elite, but it’s solid enough to facilitate open-court creation.
• Unselfishness and Creativity: He regularly makes the extra pass, and his creativity in playmaking — including no-look dishes and behind-the-back feeds — brings flair to his game.

For a team like the Bulls, who have often relied on isolation-heavy play in recent years, Giddey’s natural inclination to move the ball and generate open looks could be transformative. Slotting him next to scorers like Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan (if retained) creates a dynamic mix of passing and scoring that can keep defenses off-balance.

2. Rebounding from the Guard Position

Another area that distinguishes Giddey from traditional guards is his rebounding. His size and instincts enable him to crash the glass effectively, and he’s often among the league leaders in rebounds among guards. In fact, Giddey has averaged between 7 to 8 rebounds per game, depending on the season, and has recorded multiple double-digit rebounding nights.

Giddey’s rebounding prowess is significant for several reasons:

• Transition Initiation: His ability to grab boards and immediately push the pace puts immense pressure on opposing defenses. This helps generate fast-break opportunities and can lead to easier buckets, especially when paired with athletic wings and bigs who can run the floor.
• Positional Flexibility: Because of his rebounding and size, Giddey can function as a “point forward” in smaller lineups or slide to the 2/3 in larger ones. This gives coaches flexibility in rotations and matchups.
• Team Impact: Rebounding guards allow bigs to focus more on interior defense and rim protection, knowing someone on the perimeter can help secure possessions. For a Bulls team that sometimes struggles on the boards, Giddey’s help could be invaluable.

Perhaps most impressively, Giddey’s rebounding is a product of anticipation and effort rather than sheer athleticism. He reads the trajectory of shots well and positions himself for optimal rebounding angles. Combine that with his height and wingspan, and he’s a consistent threat to collect boards even in crowded paint situations.

Final Thoughts

While Josh Giddey is still developing areas like three-point shooting and defense, his playmaking and rebounding already place him in elite company among young guards. As he transitions into the Bulls’ system, these two core strengths provide a strong foundation for his impact on the court.

Playmakers like Giddey are rare in today’s NBA, especially ones who combine size, creativity, and composure at such a young age. Paired with his rebounding versatility, Giddey has the tools to become a central figure in Chicago’s future — not necessarily as a star scorer, but as a connector who elevates the play of everyone around him.

If the Bulls are committed to a more dynamic and unselfish style of play, Giddey could very well be the catalyst for that evolution.

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