With nine weeks in the books, the elite group of rookies has delivered some impressive performances. Although OKC Thunder guard Josh Giddey suffered a drop-down some rookie ladders last week, he makes a strong comeback in week nine.
Giddey has made a strong impression but the weekly rookie rankings don’t always consider his intangible qualities. Even when he posts rebounds and assists that would top the rookie leader board if his scoring is low he can get overlooked.
OKC Thunder guard Giddey vaults back up ladder in week 9 rookie rankings
That’s partially due to points and wins taking precedence but it’s also a testament to the fact already Giddey has established a standard of consistency.
And for those who forgot how valuable this skill set is dropping a double-double of 18 rebounds and 10 assists sort of reminded everyone.
With that let’s take a peek at where OKC Thunder guard Josh Giddey ranked in the week nine rookie power rankings.
NBA – Steve Aschburner
Great historical stats were brought up by NBA writer Steve Aschburner. He notes the 18 rebounds, 10 assists (eight points) effort versus the Clippers made him the first rookie since Larry Bird to register a double-double with those figures. Good company Giddey is keeping!
Aschburner raises him up one rung in week nine from fifth to fourth. The Giddey segment is below and you can view his full article here.
"Giddey missed that 73-point spanking from Memphis early this month, then chips in 19 points and 11 assists Monday as the Thunder win 102-99 even with Ja Morant back for the Grizzlies. Coincidence? The Ladder committee thinks not. That came one game after Giddey became the first rookie since Larry Bird in 1979 (and only the sixth ever) to have at least 18 rebounds and 10 assists, hitting those numbers against the Clippers last weekend. He missed a triple-double by one bucket."
CBS – Jasmyn Wimbish:
Giddey returns to Wimbish’s list in week nine ranking fourth overall. She notes his double-double effort versus the Clippers and his incredible play-making. There are also the typical comments about his shooting but we’re going to stay positive today so I didn’t add that part of her excerpt.
To peruse Wimbish’s full week nine rookie power rankings click here.
"Here’s a wild number that jumps out from Giddey’s performance last week: he grabbed 18 rebounds in Oklahoma City’s win over the Clippers. No, that’s not a typo, and to make it even crazier he finished with a double-double, but not with points, with 10 assists to go with that ridiculous number of rebounds…Giddey’s a phenomenal facilitator, and his court vision is already leaps and bounds where it should be for a rookie, but he also needs to become a more consistent threat when he’s shooting the ball.."
Hoops Habit – Corey Rausch:
Just like Wimbish returned Josh Giddey to her top five so too did Corey Rausch of Hoops Habit.
Rausch notes how Giddey is a nightly triple-double threat but gets in a little shade in his reference to a “former player” (Russell Westbrook) who was the triple-double king.
A portion of his excerpt on Giddey is below and you can check out his full week nine rankings here.
"After a one-week absence from the ladder, Josh Giddey stormed back into the rankings with a vengeance. In a loss against the New Orleans Pelicans this week, Giddey posted a line of 17 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.In his next game, he grabbed 18 rebounds, dished 10 assists, and tallied eight points. Night in and night out he is a triple-double threat. While this is not the same version of the player that used to do that for the Thunder, Giddey impacts the game in a variety of ways."
Intentions – where OKC Thunder PG Giddey ranks:
Although my top five ladder rungs hold the same occupants the positions shifted this week. Partially due to performances and partially due to injury.
All season the top five haven’t varied much but given several of the typical top five will be out at least a week or two due to testing positive for COVIDE.
I’ve always noted this quintet, in particular, would get a one-week pass for injuries barring five rookies having outstanding weeks. Since most of this group is likely vaccinated it’s not likely they’ll miss more than two weeks of play.
Let’s hope everyone in protocols is asymptomatic or if sick gets well quickly. The OKC Thunder have been one of a very few teams who’ve had the good fortune of avoiding this virus, so let’s also hope that continues.
The Intentions full week nine rookie ladder can be viewed here.
"Only two games in week nine for the OKC Thunder and Josh Giddey but the sixth pick sure raised his level of play.Giddey averaged a double-double of 12.5 points,13.5 rebounds (3.0 offensive boards), 8.5 assists, and 0.5 steals and flirted with a triple-double in both matches.Rookie category rankings:Assists: 6.0 – firstDouble-Doubles: four (third of elite five)Rebounds: 7.2 – thirdTurnovers: 2.9 – thirdMinutes per game: 30.0 – sixthOffensive rebounds: 1.5 – seventhField Goals Made: 4.5 – seventhPoints: 10.6 – eighthBlocks: 0.6 – three-way tie for eighthSteals: 0.9 – ninthField Goal Percent: 39.2%3-point field goal percent: 24.2% (last of elite five)"
So, after a week where Josh Giddey dropped off lists completely, he makes a resurgent appearance landing on every one of the week nine top-five lists.