Josh Giddey admitted there were times when he “didn’t feel like getting out of bed” as the NBA star reflected on a difficult season in the spotlight.
The Australian basketball player captured media attention after finishing his third season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, with the franchise eliminated from the NBA playoffs after 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 jeered in matches following the unfounded accusations and his form declined before declining into an improvement at the end of the season.
Giddey was emotional and held back tears as he talked about the mental toll this season has taken on him.
Josh Giddey opened up about his toughest year in the NBA
“This was probably the biggest challenge I’ve ever been through for a number of reasons, obviously,” Giddey said.
“I think (coping) mentally is the most overlooked part for any player. It’s very easy for people to see what happens on the court but not see what happens behind the scenes and there is so much more to a person.” than basketball.
‘That’s for anyone, not just me. You have a couple of bad games, you start to lose your mind and maybe lose confidence, whatever the case may be.
“But for me, I’ve tried to stay within the team as much as I can this year and that’s been what’s worked best for me.” When you show up every day, you integrate into the team and you stay within the group and that’s what encourages the guys and what gets you back on the right path.
‘I’m very lucky to 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 difficult.
‘It’s not a secret. But I tried to come in every day and be the best I could and be the best teammate I could.”
She also bravely admitted that there were “days when she didn’t feel like getting out of bed.”
Giddey also struggled to break into the Thunder’s starting lineup due to the good form of teammates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
He admitted that he did not address his omission as well as he could have.
The Australian became emotional when talking about how it was difficult for him to get out of bed.
“I was probably in my own head and I wasn’t being a good teammate. I just felt bad,” he said.
‘Even after the first game (against Dallas), I was trying to be happy, but I was also very worried internally. He couldn’t completely surround me with boys like he wanted and it was a bad feeling.
“From that moment on, I promised myself that I would play five minutes or 40 minutes and be the best teammate I could be. I’ll be on the bench cheering the guys on and supporting them.
“That was the mentality I adopted in the next three games. I love my teammates. So I just wanted to be there for them as much as I could.
“I’ve always been in a position where I play a lot of minutes and start my whole life.
‘And then, when suddenly things don’t happen the way you want them to and the way you think they’re going to turn out, how do you react?
“The first few games I was probably so self-absorbed and worried about myself that it affected how I supported my teammates and was a good teammate. I wanted to change that.
Giddey’s future with the Thunder is unclear and experts suggest he could be traded
“The manager did what he thought was best for the team and to be honest I probably agree with him.
“As hard as it is for a player to sit there and say, ‘I should be on the bench,’ at that point Caso (Cason Wallace), Isaiah (Joe), Wiggins (Aaron Wiggins), these guys were probably better in this series for Dallas.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow, but for a 21-year-old to go through this now is probably a good thing and I just don’t want to feel this feeling again.” “It will make me a lot better and stronger as a player and not let something like this happen again.”
Despite losing minutes and being eligible for a lucrative contract elsewhere, Giddey was forthright in insisting he wants to remain 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, it’s just amazing people throughout the building. Coming here to work every day is a lot of fun.
‘I love the group of guys we have and I’m excited to continue growing with them. “Sam (Presti), Mark (Daigneault), everyone from top to bottom has been incredible to me this whole season.”