The Bulls have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this season, sitting atop the Eastern Conference at 6-1 when many thought they had a one-way trip to the lottery. A big reason for their success has been the continued development of do-it-all point guard Josh Giddey. A big reason Giddey has taken another step forward this season is his improved shooting.
Giddey has never been known as a great shooter in his young career. He's made his impact as a passer or by using his size to snatch rebounds on defense and get to the rim on offense. You may be thinking, 'Hold up, this guy has only made 13 three-pointers all year. That's less than two per game. How can he really make an impact with such a low volume from beyond the arc?" It's a fair question considering the 13 makes have him tied for 92nd in the NBA. The key is that Giddey is making those shots more consistently than he ever has in his NBA career.
Josh Giddey's newfound shot has opened up his game
Over the first four seasons of his career, Giddey made 33 percent of his three-point attempts. The best rate he ever had over an entire season was 37.8 percent. This year, he's hitting on 41.9 percent of his attempts from long range. That's a pretty significant jump, especially when you consider the Bulls have been without one of their best three-point shooters in Coby White, who still may not be back for a couple of weeks as he rehabs a calf injury. And that 41.9 percent, Giddey is tied for 41st in the NBA (min. 25 attempts), another big jump from his 92nd ranking in total made triples.
The improved shooting also forces opposing teams to respect Giddey's shot more than they did in the past. Previously, a defender could hang back and wait for Giddey to drive, or try to anticipate a pass. A Giddey three-pointer really wasn't a big part of the equation. Now opponents need to think about a drive, a pass, and a shot. That's a combo that can put anyone in a bind.
Overall, Giddey is putting up career numbers across the board this season. His 23.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 10.0 rebounds per game are all personal bests.