Josh Giddey has left jaws on the floor after recording a new career-high to keep the Chicago Bulls’ perfect record intact.
The 23-year-old Australian guard was on another level against the New York Knicks on Saturday as the Bulls recorded a 135-125 win.
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Giddey was on fire from the outset and he never took his foot off the gas as he finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
The most impressive number from Giddey’s performance, however, was the zero turnovers he had despite being Chicago’s primary creator.
The jaw-dropping outing continues what has been a stellar start to the season from Giddey, coming after he put pen to paper on a four-year, $100 million ($154 million AUD) contract extension.
Through the opening five games of the season, Giddey is averaging 22 points, 8.8 rebounds and eight assists per game.
All of which are career-high averages.
Against New York the Aussie showed off his improved offensive game as he torched the Knicks from beyond the arc.
In the first half he piled on 21 points, tying the most he had ever scored in a first half in his career as he sank four three-points.
That was also the most he had made in any half in his NBA career.
Giddey finished last season showing off improved shooting from deep but he’s taken things to even greater levels this season and is currently knocking them down at an absurd 45.5 per cent clip.
SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell wrote on X: “Can’t believe this Giddey shooting development. He gets a little better with the shot every year and that is proving true again. Credit to him for working on his game.”
Giddey’s latest outrageous display saw him become the talk of the NBA world on Saturday with fans putting him in the All Star discussion.
ESPN’s Kane Pitman wrote: “Career-high 32 points for Josh Giddey vs Knicks. The Bulls improve to 5-0. He is the 3rd Bulls player to average 20 pts, 7 reb, 7 asts through first 5 games of a season, joining 1993 Scottie Pippen and 1967 Guy Rodgers. (per ESPN Stats).”
Journalist Jordan Rose wrote: “I can’t believe what I’m witnessing.”
Rio Jones added: “Put him in all y’alls mvp talks from now on, until he proves otherwise! he came in and turned this team around!”
Podcaster Joel Moran wrote: “Averaging a near triple double and is a big reason the Bulls are 5-0. He‘s earned his respect.”
What makes Giddey and the Bulls’ start to the season even more impressive is the fact they’ve done it without star guard Coby White.
White suffered a calf strain in August and while he’s reportedly back shooting and running around, his return to the court remains up in the air.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan said the 25-year-old isn’t yet at the level of doing stop, starts and quick explosive moves.
Despite not having White in the line-up, the Bulls have started the season 5-0 for the first time since way back in 1996-97 when a man by the name of Michael Jordan led them to the NBA title.
