Josh Giddey, the 23-year-old Australian basketball player, has recently achieved a rare feat for the Chicago Bulls, a franchise steeped in NBA lore largely due to Michael Jordan’s dominance in the 1990s. Giddey became the first Bull in over 30 years to record back-to-back triple doubles—accumulating double-digit points, rebounds, and assists in consecutive games—a milestone last reached during Jordan’s heyday. This accomplishment came as part of a thrilling 24-point comeback victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, where Giddey’s all-around performance and a dazzling no-look pass to teammate Nikola Vučević sealed the win and made him the highlight of the game.
For Australian basketball fans, Giddey’s rise evokes memories of other notable Australians who have made their mark in the NBA. Luc Longley, the first Australian to win multiple NBA championships with the Bulls alongside Jordan, remains a touchstone figure. Though Longley’s contributions to those championship teams were often overshadowed, his role has been celebrated more fully in recent years, including through Australian media coverage and retrospectives like the documentary series The Last Dance. Other Australians such as Patty Mills, Andrew Bogut, Joe Ingles, and Matthew Dellavedova have also earned respect and success at the highest level of basketball, with Dellavedova’s unlikely partnership with LeBron James during Cleveland’s 2016 title run standing out as a particularly memorable example.
Giddey’s own journey has been marked by steady development and perseverance. He burst onto the NBA scene with the Oklahoma City Thunder as a teenager, quickly making history as the youngest player to record a triple double. In his rookie season, he averaged significant minutes and contributed consistently, but as the Thunder’s roster evolved around their star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the coaching staff shifted their focus to other players who complemented that style of play better. Giddey’s minutes and role diminished, particularly in the playoffs, as his skills—while impressive in playmaking and rebounding—were tempered by some limitations. His shooting off the dribble was inconsistent, he was reluctant to use his size aggressively to attack the rim, and he struggled to keep pace defensively against quicker opponents.
These challenges are significant given the competitive nature of the NBA, where only 30 teams exist and even fewer starting point guard spots are available on winning teams. After being traded to the Bulls in exchange for fan favorite Alex Caruso, Giddey faced pressure to prove he could be a valuable starter on a playoff-contending team. The Bulls themselves were coming off a disappointing season, and skepticism about Giddey’s fit and impact was widespread among fans and even within the organization. His contract extension negotiations during the off-season reflected a cautious approach by the Bulls’ management, signaling uncertainty about his future role and value.
However, early returns in the current NBA season suggest a turning point. Seven games in, Giddey is not only disproving doubters but also changing the narrative around his capabilities. He is averaging nearly a triple double, scoring around 23 points per game, shooting above the league average from three-point range, and showing a newfound aggressiveness by attacking the basket more frequently and drawing twice as many free throws as last season. Most importantly, his contributions are translating into team success. The Bulls have started the season with their best record since the mid-1990s, sitting atop the Eastern Conference with only one loss alongside Giddey’s former team, the Thunder.
While comparisons between Giddey and Michael Jordan are inevitable given the shared franchise and statistical coincidence, the two players are fundamentally very different. Jordan was the epitome of athleticism, competitiveness, and individual dominance—a player who could carry any team to victory with his talent and ferocity. Giddey, by contrast, is more reserved, a pass-first point guard who excels in managing the game’s tempo and involving his teammates rather than seeking personal glory. His strengths lie in his size for a guard, his vision, and his ability to facilitate, making him something of an antithesis to the brash, high-flying style of Jordan.
Despite lacking Jordan’s legendary physical gifts or market-transforming charisma, Giddey offers Chicago something equally valuable: the potential to return the Bulls to consistent relevance and playoff success after a 26-year championship drought. His growth and maturity, coupled with the trust he has earned from coaches and teammates, have positioned