Earning praise from an NBA legend isn’t something that happens by accident. For Josh Giddey, that moment arrived recently when one of basketball’s most iconic figures couldn’t stop talking about his game.
While traveling overseas on a work trip connected to eBay, Allen Iverson made an appearance in Australia, where he took part in a live NBA trading card box break.
The visit naturally drew local media attention, and during an interview with Fox Sports Australia, Iverson was asked about the country’s most prominent NBA export right now: Giddey.
Iverson didn’t hedge his response.
“I love Josh Giddey,” Iverson said. “He just needed an opportunity. Once he got that, you see everything he can do. He’s a special basketball player. I’ve got a lot of love for him, and I’m a big fan.”
The comments landed at an interesting point in Giddey’s career. After beginning his NBA journey with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Giddey often operated in a shared backcourt alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While he flashed his all-around skill set there, his responsibilities shifted once he landed with the Chicago Bulls.
In Chicago, the 23-year-old has been given far more freedom to run the offense, and the results have followed. Before being sidelined, Giddey was putting up career-best numbers across the board, averaging around 19 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds per game while shooting more confidently from deep. His nightly stat lines routinely flirted with triple-double territory.
That momentum was interrupted late last month when Giddey exited a Dec. 29 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a hamstring strain. The injury kept him out for several weeks, during which Chicago remained competitive in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Iverson, however, made it clear he’s focused on the bigger picture.
“I think the sky is the limit,” he said. “He’s effective everywhere on the floor. He’s not really limited. He’s a walking triple-double.”