How Giddey’s passing could help the Cavs
When you start to watch tape on Giddey it’s his passing skills that are off the charts for such a young player, an almost LeBron James-like knack for the game.
Giddey’s feel for the game is top notch. He routinely can drive, and kick passes out to the wings. He has a great ability to find players open down along the baseline when he’s handing the ball near the top of the key.
The most impressive passes, and the most dangerous, if you don’t know how to make them, are the skip passes across the defense, and Giddey makes these regularly.
As a basketball coach I’ve always talked about moving the ball and skipping the ball over the top and forcing the defense out of position. Giddey can do this on command, and the weakside defense is out of position nearly ever time on tape.
Giddey finished his brief 28-game stint in the NBL by averaging almost 8 assists a game. Wow! If the Cavs are seeking to move the ball more on offense next season, as one would assume they will be, I’d select Giddey in the 2021 NBA Draft simply on those conditions alone.
Cavs draft: Examining the other aspects of Giddey’s offense
Giddey averaged just under 11 points a game in his NBL play. His shooting can be suspect, especially from deep where some of those little things, like his footwork on the shot are a little off. But he plays downhill a lot and when gets to the basket or is within a short distance to the hoop he has a nice soft touch on his shots.
Giddey likes to pass first, so in time, I believe his offensive skills will improve. He can use player screens and pick-and-rolls well and has a good degree of creativity with that part of his game.
When playing point, and with his taller size and can see many times over his smaller opponents guarding him, which also allows him to find players open off his passes, especially in transition.
He’s very good at adjusting his pace of play during a game which is a real advantage with his height at the point.
His ball handling is suspect at this point, mostly due to his taller size but he likes to create opportunities off his crossover dribbles, especially from his left to his right hand.