OKC Thunder's Josh Giddey reflects on 'different year' after win vs. Raptors

Josh Giddey is well aware of the whispers about his play this season.

Of the decision making and glaring mistakes, of the shifts in opposing defenses and the lack of gravity that’s made his rookie flashes feel like a distant memory. His disappearances from lineups as games close. Pushes from plenty of viewers for his availability in a trade.

He’s liked negative Tweets, he’s fielded critical questions.

On Sunday, his words after the Thunder's 135-127 double-overtime win made it abundantly clear that he’s seen and thought about it all. And his play made it clear that he’s doing what he can to pivot from his first half of the season.

“It’s been a different year for me,” said Giddey, who continued playing for OKC for about two months while a California police department investigated an alleged inappropriate relationship between the Thunder guard and an underage female. That investigation closed last month, but the NBA's review is ongoing.

“With guys coming in, sacrifice is needed for a team like this," Giddey said. "And the success we’ve had requires that."

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Beyond the need for teams to double Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or help on Jalen Williams, or attach themselves to Chet Holmgren’s skin, there are simply times when defenses leave Giddey open. Even on nights when he’s been relatively efficient, the disrespect from teams doesn’t dissolve. OKC coach Mark Daigneault and Giddey both have seemingly tried to adjust to change that, often to no avail. Sunday was different, though.

He finished the night a team-high plus-17. He tallied 24 points on 15 shots, six rebounds, six assists and drilled two 3s. He was a catalyst in the Thunder’s third-quarter push, trading in any wacky, off-balance dribble drives for push shots that carried more confidence.

Both Giddey’s outside presence and defensive aura deficiencies have caused trouble at times. But on Sunday, he found himself in the right place at the right time far too often.

In place for a helpside block on RJ Barrett. In place for the fastbreak bucket that tied things up in the comeback. In place for an offensive board near the free-throw line for a critical possession midway through the fourth. In place for a putback after a failed SGA circus layup later on. In his usual place for the SLOB (sideline out of bounds) pass that saved the game in regulation. In place for the and-1 that made it a two-possession game with 31 seconds to play.

Consistency is one thing. The confidence to step toward it is another. After an admittedly rough year, the third-year guard seemed to think Sunday could help.

“I’m just trying to get back to me,” Giddey said. “I thought tonight was a good step in the right direction in terms of confidence and decision making. It’s not gonna be overnight. These things take time. Progress is never linear with things like this. I’m 21 years old.

“It is tough at times when you go through these stretches and you’re in the middle of it. It’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You’ve got to think big picture. Everyone goes through this. You’re never alone throughout slumps and tough stretches.”

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TIPOFF: 8 p.m. Tuesday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City (Bally Sports Oklahoma)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder's Josh Giddey reflects on 'different year' after win