'Wouldn't have played myself': Giddey's harsh self-assessment ...
Aussie Dyson Daniels’ coming of age party rolls on, with the NBA’s steals leader continuing his incredible pace.
During Atlanta’s 129-117 NBA Cup win against the Washington Wizards, Daniels recorded six steals in addition to 25 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Heading into the game, Daniels was thrashing the rest of the league in steals per game with 3.6. The next best is Washington’s Jordan Poole (2.3).
It’s Daniels’ fourth-straight game with at least 15 points and five steals, which puts him in rarefied air and in the same breath as the great Michael Jordan.
That mark of 3.6 is just behind the NBA record held by Alvin Robertson (3.7).
Daniels, who also leads the league in deflections, has been a terrific buy for the Hawks this season, complimenting back-court partner Trae Young so well.
While Daniels has excelled on defence since being drafted by the Pelicans in 2022, the extra game time he’s getting as a Hawk is proving key.
Remarkably, Daniels holds the four highest single game steal totals of the season (7 and 6 three times).
AUSSIE’S HONEST ASSESSMENT OF ‘BAD’ PERFORMANCE
Bulls guard Josh Giddey has given a scathing assessment of his own performance in Chicago’s 144-126 loss to the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Aussie star only played 15 minutes in the loss, mostly due to being in foul trouble, however Bulls coach Billy Donovan elected not to start Giddey to begin the second half.
The guard struggled mightly on defence, which Giddey eluded to when speaking with reporters post game.
“I mean I don’t blame it on the fouls, like that was obviously part of it, but everything else was just as bad,” an honest Giddey said.
“I wouldn’t have played myself if I was Billy. No minutes tonight. I was bad on both sides of the ball.
“You just got to put it in the bin and move on.
“I want to be better on (defensive) side of the ball and I thought I was making steps in the right direction.
“To have a night like tonight kind of kills your confidence. I have to be way better and will be going forward.”
Giddey had just five points on 2-9 shooting with a plus/minus of -27.
The Cavaliers’ win moves them to an incredible 14-0 record to begin the season.
They still have a way to go if they are to break the 2015-2016 Warriors’ record of 24 straight wins to start a season.
LEBRON MAKES HISTORY AGAIN
Never during his distinguished 23-year career had Lakers star LeBron James recorded four triple doubles in a row.
Until now.
James hit the historic mark in the third quarter of the Lakers’ 120-115 win over the Spurs with an assist to Austin Reaves.
James had hit three straight triple doubles on numerous occasions in the past, but at 39 years old, he reached four straight for the first time ever.
“It’s so impressive that LeBron is doing brand new things this deep in his career,” ESPN’s Richard Jefferson said.
On the back of James’ huge night (15 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists), the Lakers won their first NBA Cup match of the season to go to second in Group B.
Of course, it was the Lakers who won the inaugural NBA Cup last season when they downed the Indiana Pacers in the final.
NBA SCORES - November 16
76ers 86 @ Magic 98
Pistons 99 @ Raptors 95
Heat 124 @ Pacers 111
Wizards 117 @ Hawks 129
Bulls 126 @ Cavaliers 144
Lakers 120 @ Spurs 115
Nuggets 94 @ Pelicans 101
Clippers 104 @ Rockets 125
Suns 83 @ Thunder 99
Nets 122 @ Knicks 124
