Why the NBA needs to sideline Josh Giddey until investigations conclude
Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win’s basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Have feedback for the Layup Lines Crew? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey. Now, here’s Prince J. Grimes.
The NBA is embroiled in another scandal involving one of its players accused of some type of misconduct against a woman.
This time it’s Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey, who is being investigated after a since-deleted social media post last week alleged he had an improper relationship with an underage girl.
The topic has been slow to bubble to the surface because of where the initial claim came from, apparently starting from an anonymous social account. But it’s a full-blown thing now, with an NBA spokesperson saying Friday the league is looking into the accusation, and the Newport Beach, California, Police Department saying Wednesday it’s also conducting an investigation.
Here’s the latest on the Josh Giddey situation – police say they have an “active investigation” into allegations about an improper relationship Giddey may have had with a minor. Statement says the police department is“actively seeking additional information.” pic.twitter.com/NnzkywyC9d
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) November 29, 2023
Until those investigations conclude, we won’t actually know anything about what Giddey did or didn’t do. Even then, people have to cooperate for the truth to come out. When Giddey was asked Friday about the accusation, the 21-year-old declined to comment. He’s played in two games since, with OKC’s next game coming up Thursday.
It’s been an uncomfortable situation for everyone watching it unfold, from the media toeing a line of assigning guilt and letting the legal process play out to fans watching Giddey play, knowing what’s been alleged. In his first home game after the allegations, he received a loud ovation from the Thunder crowd. During his first road game, Minnesota Timberwolves fans booed him. The Thunder lost both games.
Timberwolves’ fans are booing Josh Giddey everytime he touches the ball pic.twitter.com/VBqjrqAhoq
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) November 29, 2023
The NBA is obviously in a tough spot, because it’s hard to discipline a player over mere allegations. But for a league with an already shoddy reputation for its mishandling of domestic violence incidents involving Miles Bridges and Kevin Porter Jr., the NBA needs to step up at some point to protect everyone involved, including the young women and girls in its audience.
Not only is it a massive distraction for Thunder players and staff to have Giddey playing, but it’s awkward for everyone else too. If he turns out guilty, the NBA will look awful in hindsight for allowing someone who committed that crime to play games. If he’s innocent, then he’s being subjected to angry jeers from large crowds of people for no reason.
The best move might just be to place Giddey on some type of administrative leave until we know more about what we’re dealing with, because having him play isn’t doing anyone any good.
The Warriors need to get Steph Curry some help
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
The Golden State Warriors were eliminated from the NBA In-Season Tournament Tuesday, on the final night of group play, but not before they blew a 24-point lead to the Sacramento Kings.
The loss dropped the Warriors to 8-10 on the season, but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort from Stephen Curry, who played a team-high 37 minutes and matched Andrew Wiggins with a team-high 29 points. When the game was in the balance, however, it often felt like Curry was on his own.
Related: NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals schedule
Chris Paul was ruled out in the first half with an injury. Draymond Green lost his temper and gave up a costly technical foul in the fourth quarter during Sacramento’s furious comeback (because of course he did). Klay Thompson is still working his way through a season-long slump, going scoreless in the fourth quarter. And Wiggins scored just three of his 29 in the final frame.
That left everything up to Curry, who’s already to focal point of every team’s defense. When he isn’t up to it, they lose. And that’s what happened Tuesday. Curry went 1-for-5 for five points in the fourth quarter.
The Chef won’t always disappear like that late in games, but it’s troubling he couldn’t look elsewhere for help down the stretch (other than Moses Moody, who was 4-for-4 in the fourth before Steve Kerr pulled him). And it’s hard to be sure there’s a player like that on the roster. Thompson might be done as a top-flight scorer. Green never was that. Paul struggles to stay healthy and is mostly a distributor these days. Wiggins didn’t work in Minnesota for a reason.
If someone else on this roster doesn’t step up and emerge as someone who can consistently help Curry, the Warriors might have to look elsewhere to find someone who can.
Related: The NBA In-Season Tournament point-margin tiebreaker has been controversial. Get used to it
One to Watch
(All odds via BetMGM)
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Clippers (-105) at Sacramento Kings (+1.5; -105), 10:10 p.m. ET
The Kings exerted so much energy to come from behind in their win over Golden State Tuesday, I’d be stunned if they were able to hang with the Clippers just one night later. The Clippers still have a ton to figure out in terms of their roster and roles, but there’s still enough talent to go out there and cover 1.5 points against a likely mentally beat Kings team.
Shootaround
— The NBA In-Season Tournament is working like a charm. FTW’s Mike Sykes has more.
— In-Season Tournament quarterfinals odds and predictions
—What to know about prospective Mavericks owner Miriam Adelson
—Dirk Nowitzki reacted live on air when Alperen Sengun nailed his signature jumper
That’s it from me y’all. Enjoy the holiday, and check back Friday for more Layup Lines.