lUniversity of California Longley chooses his words carefully when talking about Chicago Bulls point guard Josh Giddey, unwilling to place any more hopes on the young Australian still finding his feet in the cutthroat competition of the NBA.
He says he doesn't watch all the Bulls games now, but only half of them. That he hadn't spoken to Giddy much since he moved to Illinois. That Longley's life in Australia, where he co-owns the Sydney Kings and Flames, takes up most of his energy, not what's happening on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Despite all this, Longley says he can't help but feel connected to Giddy's appearance with the Bullsone of the stories of the NBA season. “I think it’s a bit of a strange déjà vu to see him in this uniform, in this arena, doing what he does,” he says.
Longley won three NBA titles with the Bulls in the 1990s alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen on one of the most famous sports teams in the world. His incredible story may have been overlooked by the producers of the Netflix documentary The Last Dance, but it was well told ABC in 2021.
Giddy's trade to Chicago last season and his emergence as the leader of an improving Bulls team this campaign have rekindled old memories. “It’s a little surreal for me,” Longley says. “Especially considering my connection to his old man.”
The red and black jersey isn't the only thing Giddy and Longley have in common. The tall center has known the young point guard for years, thanks to a period in the late 1980s in youth basketball when he played alongside Warwick Giddy, a man Longley calls “Wazza.”
Giddy Snr was the first person to play with Australian schoolboys in both rugby league and union in the same year. He also played for the basketball team. “I remember when I was a young guy on the national teams and he was just one of those guys you wanted to play with,” Longley says.
The physical former Melbourne Tigers forward became an NBL legend, playing 449 games and winning two championships. Longley sees a lot of the old man in Josh, qualities that he thinks will resonate with the blue collar Chicago he remembers. “He's tough as nails, he's not really strong in the chest, but he lets his actions speak for themselves.”
It's been 27 years since Longley left Chicago, which is how long the proud basketball city has waited to add to its roster of six players. NBA titles. “The lean years have hit the Bulls hard, they have stung the fans because going from the penthouse to the toilet is worse than the other way around,” says the Australian.
But Longley admits he doesn't know for sure and has no idea what it's like for Giddy now trying to win matches and win over eager fans.
“The truth is, I didn’t play for Chicago when we weren’t winning, so I can’t tell you first-hand what it was like to be in a losing Bulls environment,” he says. “However, I suspect that because Chicagoans are Chicagoans, they are quite intolerant of losing, and I think they would be even more intolerant of losing in an apathetic or uncompetitive manner.”
Longley believes it's no coincidence that the Bulls are now more competitive, and that this newfound edge is due in part to Giddy's influence. “Obviously we don’t want to compare him to Michael, but the desire to compete – if that were stated [measured statistically] “I think Josh is elite.”
The legend of Michael Jordan hangs over the world of basketball, not just Chicago. Just ask LeBron James, whose greatness has always been relative. In the 60 years of the Bulls' existence, there has been no recipe for success without No. 23.
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Longley says Giddy and Jordan are so different in background and playing style that any comparison is a waste of time. Ultimately, the Aussie is still working on his craft and looking for ways to succeed.
“The reality is his attacking game has to be strong, he has to hit the ball and attack,” Longley said. “Or for him to be able to be a coordinator, Josh's game has really changed: He scores those three goals and attacks the rim so hard that he destroys the defense.”
Giddy's form has been generally good this season. He averaged close to a 20-point triple-double and helped the historic team to an 8-7 record, which qualified them for the playoffs. But questions still remain, as evidenced by Giddy's 36-point loss to the Miami Heat in the NBA Cup, when he had a 19-point, 11-rebound, nine-assist performance on Saturday (AEDT).
The Bulls came roaring out of the gate this season, then suffered a five-game losing streak, and a viral lapse in perimeter defense against De'Andre Hunter led to a sprained ankle that forced Giddy to miss time. The team gave up a 21-point lead to the Blazers on Thursday, and Giddy was on the floor most of the time, shooting below par that night.
However, coach Billy Donovan appeared to have confidence in the Australian, relying on him to steal the ball and give the Bulls the winning possession in the same game. Center Nikola Vucevic scored the winning goal, just like two weeks ago when Giddey substituted for the Montenegrins. It was another grandstand finish to a season in Chicago that quickly became unforgettable.
Longley also trusts Giddy. “I believe in his talent. I believe in his strength and I think his basketball intentions are pure,” Longley said. “I really think he's a real person and I can't wait to sit in the stands and watch him do it. For me, it would really connect the dots.”
