Josh Giddey has admitted there were times he ‘didn’t feel like getting out of bed’ as the NBA star reflected on a tough season in the spotlight.
The Australian basketball player fronted the media after completing his third season with the Oklahma City Thunder, with the franchise eliminated from the NBA playoffs following a second-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Earlier this year, Giddey was cleared following a police investigation into whether he had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl after material circulated on social media. Newport police found no evidence to support the allegations.
The Australian was booed and booed during matches in the wake of the baseless accusations, and his form dipped before hitting a late-season surge.
Giddey was emotional and fighting back tears as he discussed the mental toll this season has taken on him.
Josh Giddey has started his toughest year in the NBA
“This was probably the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced, for a number of reasons obviously,” said Giddey.
“I think (mentally dealing with) is the part that is most overlooked by every player. It’s so easy for people to see what’s happening on the floor but not see what’s happening behind the scenes, and there’s so much more to a person than just basketball.
‘That applies to everyone, not just me. You have a few bad matches, you start to get in your own head, maybe you lose confidence – whatever the case may be.
“But for me this year I’ve just tried to stay within the team as much as possible and that’s been the thing for me that I found worked the best. When you come in every day, you join the team and you stay within the group. That’s what cheers the boys up and that’s what gets you back on track.
‘I’m really lucky that I have good people around me. They really care and are really there for you and there have definitely been days and periods this year that have been tough.
‘It’s no secret. But I just tried to show up every day and be the best I could and be the best teammate I could.”
He also bravely admitted that there were “days when you don’t feel like getting out of bed.”
Giddey also struggled to get into the Thunder’s starting XI due to the strong form of his teammates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
He admitted that he did not handle his absence as well as he could have done.
The Australian was emotional as he discussed how he struggled to get out of bed
‘I was probably in my own head and not a good teammate. “I just felt bad,” he said.
“Even after Game 1 (against Dallas), I was trying to be happy, but internally I was so worried too. I couldn’t quite get around the boys the way I wanted and it was a bad feeling.
“From that moment on, I promised myself that whether I play five minutes or 40 minutes, I will be the best teammate I can be. I get up from the bench to encourage and support the boys.
‘That was kind of the mentality I took into the next three games. I love my teammates. So I just wanted to be there for them as much as possible.
“I’ve always been in a position where I’m playing a lot of minutes and starting my whole life.
“And when things suddenly don’t happen the way you want them to and the way you think they will turn out, how do you respond?
“The first few games I was probably so self-centered and worried about me that it affected the way I supported my teammates and was a good teammate. I wanted to change that.
Giddey’s future with the Thunder is unclear, with experts suggesting he could be traded
“The coach did what he thought was best for the team and honestly I probably agree with him.
“As hard as it is for a player to sit there and say, ‘I should be on the bench,’ back then Caso (Cason Wallace), Isaiah (Joe), Wigs (Aaron Wiggins), these guys were probably better in this series for Dallas.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow, but if a 21-year-old is going through this right now, it’s probably a good thing and I just don’t want to feel this way again. It will make me a lot better and stronger as a player to never let something like this happen again.”
Despite missing out on minutes and being considered for a lucrative contract elsewhere, Giddey candidly emphasized that he wants to stay with the Thunder.
“This is a home away from home,” he said.
“I love everything about this place: the city, the fans, the organization from top to bottom, they’re just incredible people in the whole place. It’s so nice to come to work here every day.
“I just love the group of guys we have and I’m excited to continue to grow with them. Sam [Presti]Marking [Daigneault]“Everyone from top to bottom has just been incredible to me this entire season.”