Josh Giddey’s Impressive Start with the Chicago Bulls: Key Stats and Insights

Josh Giddey has made a significant impact in his early days with the Chicago Bulls, showcasing a versatile skillset that has been crucial to the team’s offense. Through his first nine games, Giddey is averaging 13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, highlighting his all-around abilities[2].

Giddey’s passing skills have been particularly noteworthy. He boasts a 35.8 assist percentage (AST%), which is the third-highest among players who have appeared in at least nine games this season, only behind Trae Young and Chris Paul. This high assist rate has been a key factor in the Bulls’ fast-paced offense, which currently operates at the league’s highest pace and shoots the fifth-most threes per game.

In addition to his passing, Giddey has been instrumental in setting up his teammates for three-point shots. He is responsible for almost a quarter of the Bulls’ assisted three-point makes so far this season. For example, he set up eight of the team’s 15 threes against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 7.

However, Giddey’s performance is not without its challenges. He has a significant minus in his plus-minus statistics, averaging a -9.9 through his first nine games, which is the seventh-worst per-game plus-minus in the NBA. This reflects his defensive weaknesses, as opposing teams have a +14.6 advantage when Giddey is on the floor, ranking in the league’s 6th percentile according to Cleaning the Glass.

Despite these defensive issues, Giddey’s overall contribution to the Bulls’ offense has been substantial. He continues to be a key component in the team’s effort to establish a more modern and dynamic offensive identity[2][4]).