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2021 NBA draft profile: International prospect Josh Giddey

By Lachlan Everett

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 23: Josh Giddey of the 36ers runs with the ball during the NBL Cup match between the Adelaide 36ers and the South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena on February 23, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 23: Josh Giddey of the 36ers runs with the ball during the NBL Cup match between the Adelaide 36ers and the South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena on February 23, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images) /
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NBA draft, Josh Giddey Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images
NBA draft, Josh Giddey Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images /

NBA draft prospect Josh Giddey’s weakness: Defense

One of Giddey’s biggest flaws as a prospect is his defense, he isn’t a liability on that end but it’s one of his biggest improvement areas. Giddey has two main issues defensively: lateral quickness/awareness and his upright stance.

A combination of mental lapses, an undisciplined stance and poor navigation of screens is not uncommon for an 18-year-old but it is something to break down — and it’s especially evident playing against seasoned professionals. Miscommunications defensively caused some of these issues but coming into the draft Giddey’s defense will be monitored closely by NBA teams.

He has the tools to be at a minimum a very intelligent and neutral defender. At his best, he could switch 1-4 and use his length and basketball IQ to disrupt defenses with his 6’9” frame. Giddey also has excellent hands, he averaged 1.1 steals per game and half a block. His stripes, steals, and blocks all come from his intelligence and it slowly translated more and more as the season went on.

The first clip is of Giddey guarding the league MVP Bryce Cotton, Giddey locks his feet and slides along the arc using his height and wingspan to cut off any drives. A hand in the face and an extremely well-placed contest would make most NBA players miss — but he’s the Damian Lillard of the NBL for a reason.

The second clip is Giddey guarding Lamar Patterson, the awareness to sit back (Patterson is mostly an inside scorer) allows Giddey to read the play and pounce on Patterson when he goes for the spin – which leads to Giddey pushing the break and finding an open shooter on a drive.

However, coach Henry agreed that defense is one of Giddey’s biggest improvements areas. When asked on how it translates currently to an NBA level Henry told Hoopshabit:

"“He can go up to the next level and do the things he’s so, so good at right now but defensively he’s going to have to play at a tick higher pace and physicality. I have no doubt he will continue to grow in that area, but that is the area he will have to improve most.”"

If you are optimistic, you could reasonably say that with time and education in an NBA defense with the right coaching, Giddey could become a key defender. A switchable on the wing who makes intelligent reads that create fast-break opportunities. If you’re pessimistic, you could argue that the lack of foot speed and natural athleticism will always land him in trouble in the NBA.

I lean optimistically as the height, length, and basketball IQ will always leave Giddey a solid base to build off coming into the NBA. However, in the NBL he often was defending guards, and in the NBA Giddey will likely be covering 2-4 more often.

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