Bleacher Report writer Mo Dakhil listed the most important skill improvement for all 30 NBA teams in an article recently published.
Basically, the list entails one skill that one player from each team will need to improve on if they are to take the next step as a collective.
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, that was Josh Giddey’s spot-up shooting.
“There is a fun and talented team being built in Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort are the elder statesmen for the Thunder. But Josh Giddey’s development is going to be the deciding factor for how successful they will be.
Passing is not the issue. Giddey does a great job of keeping the ball moving and has developed chemistry with rookie Chet Holmgren. It is his shooting that the Thunder are going to need him to build upon.
Last season Giddey shot 26.3 percent from three. His improvement as a shooter creates more space and allows him to be a threat when the ball is not in his hand. This may be the case as Gilgeous-Alexander will be the primary ball handler so Giddey has to be a threat to spot-up.
The good news is the Thunder has brought in renowned shooting coach Chip Engelland from San Antonio to help the cause. Oklahoma can climb in the standings if Giddey takes a leap as a shooter.”
Of all the potential answers to this interesting question, this is probably the right one. If Giddey can develop into a league-average shooter, he will unlock a new level to his ceiling. Right now, even with his super passing, court vision and rebounding skills, there will always be a limited ceiling to that if he does not improve his shooting.
With the addition of shooting coach guru Chip Engelland, the chances of Giddey improving and showing real long-term improvement improve.
