Really That Fierce? Why Giddey Dominates in FIBA After Being Undervalued in the NBA

In their Olympic basketball debut, the Australian men's basketball team comfortably defeated Spain 92-80. The match between these two traditional powerhouses showcased Spain’s aging squad, which failed to trouble the Australian team significantly. Spain only briefly led by two points in the third quarter; otherwise, they trailed for almost the entire game.

Spain's Decline

Spain’s national team is undeniably not as formidable as it once was. Since the retirement of their golden generation, they have lacked a leading figure on the international stage. Their star player, Willy Hernangomez, was largely contained, scoring just 14 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists, with a plus-minus of -18, the second-lowest on the team. Naturalized player Lorenzo Brown, who was stellar during Spain’s EuroBasket 2022 championship run, also struggled, going 3-for-10 from the field and 0-for-4 from three, finishing with only 7 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists, with a dismal plus-minus of -25.

The best performer for Spain was Santi Aldama, who scored 27 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field, including 6-for-8 from three and 9-for-10 from the free-throw line. However, having a stretch big like Aldama lead the team in scoring highlights Spain’s deficiencies in both the backcourt and frontcourt. Notably, Aldama is one of only two current NBA players on the Spanish team, the other being Usman Garuba, who played just 18 minutes combined for the Golden State Warriors last season. This stark contrast highlights how far Spain has fallen from the days of Pau and Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio, Serge Ibaka, Juan Carlos Navarro, and Rudy Fernandez. The latter, now the only veteran still playing, symbolizes Spain's decline, with their 2022 EuroBasket triumph feeling like a distant memory. This Spanish team faces an uncertain future and might struggle to advance from the "group of death."

Australia’s Strength

On the other hand, the Australian men's basketball team is undeniably strong. Jock Landale was the standout player in their victory, scoring 20 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists on 9-for-14 shooting. He effectively neutralized Hernangomez, finishing with a +20 plus-minus. Veteran Patty Mills continued to shine, scoring 19 points on 6-for-12 shooting, including 3-for-6 from three. With less than a minute left in the game and Australia leading by six, it was Mills who sealed the win with a clutch three-pointer.

Spain briefly led Australia in the second half, but Australia responded with a pick-and-roll attack featuring Mills and Landale that dismantled Spain’s defense. Landale, earning $8 million a year, and Mills, who went unpicked in the NBA offseason, both proved their worth in FIBA play. Another crucial player was Josh Giddey. Starting and playing 27 minutes, Giddey nearly recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists on 7-for-12 shooting, including 2-for-4 from three. In the first quarter alone, Giddey scored 11 points, single-handedly outplaying Spain’s backcourt.

Giddey’s FIBA Debut

This game marked Giddey’s Olympic debut, making him the first player since Drazen Petrovic in 1984 to record at least 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in his Olympic debut. While this stat may seem tailored, it underscores Giddey’s potential as a FIBA star. During last year’s FIBA World Cup, Giddey demonstrated his capabilities, averaging 19.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on 54.2% shooting. He continued to perform well in the World Cup warm-up games, averaging 17.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists with a 46.3% shooting percentage, leading Australia to a 5-1 record, with their only loss to the USA by just six points. In a game against France, Giddey recorded 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, including a game-winning assist.

In the NBA, Giddey’s talent was undervalued, as evidenced by the Thunder trading him to the Bulls for Alex Caruso. However, in FIBA play, Giddey’s height and versatility as a 6’8” guard make him a dominant force. His performance against Spain forced them to change their defensive strategy from man-to-man to help defense.

Differences Between NBA and FIBA Play

Why does Giddey excel so much more in FIBA than in the NBA? There are two main reasons. First, on the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the primary star, and players like Jaylin Williams and Chet Holmgren also need the ball, limiting Giddey’s growth. When he plays off the ball, his lack of a reliable jump shot becomes a liability, which is why the Thunder ultimately decided to trade him. In contrast, Giddey is the future of the Australian team, with more ball-handling duties and offensive freedom.

Second, the differences in rules and court dimensions between the NBA and FIBA play a significant role. FIBA courts are shorter and narrower, and the three-point line is closer, which reduces the emphasis on spacing compared to the NBA. FIBA also favors more team-oriented play, making it a more suitable environment for Giddey’s skill set.

Looking Ahead

After leading Australia to their first Olympic win, the Bulls' official social media accounts highlighted Giddey’s performance, posting multiple tweets about him. Next season, Giddey will play for the Bulls. Given his disappointing playoff performance this past season, many might doubt his potential, but the Bulls' situation is different from the Thunder’s. With DeMar DeRozan potentially leaving and Lonzo Ball injured, Giddey will be the primary playmaker, giving him more opportunities to develop.

For now, the focus remains on the Olympics. This was just Giddey’s debut, and fans hope he continues to deliver impressive performances, potentially changing the narrative around his postseason struggles.