Australian Connection Fuels Bulls' Resurgence
Chicago is witnessing a remarkable basketball renaissance, spearheaded by Australian guard Josh Giddey and supported by legendary Bulls centre Luc Longley. The three-time NBA champion admits to experiencing "weird deja vu" watching his former team return to playoff contention with another Australian playing a pivotal role.
Longley's Personal Connection to Giddey Dynasty
The red and black connection runs deeper than mere nationality. Longley reveals a personal history with the Giddey family, having played alongside Josh's father, Warwick "Wazza" Giddey, in junior representative basketball during the late 1980s. "He was just one of those guys that you wanted to play alongside," Longley recalls of the former Melbourne Tigers forward who became an NBL legend.
Longley sees familiar traits in the younger Giddey that he believes resonate with Chicago's blue-collar ethos. "He's tough as nails, he's not really a chest pounder, but he lets his actions do the talking," Longley observes, drawing parallels between father and son.
From Championship Pedigree to Playoff Pursuit
The Bulls' current playoff push evokes mixed emotions for Longley, who won three consecutive championships with the franchise between 1996 and 1998. Twenty-seven years have passed since Longley left Chicago, matching the duration of the city's wait for a seventh NBA title.
"The lean years have stung the Bulls, stung the fans, because going from the penthouse to the outhouse is worse than the other way around," Longley acknowledges. However, he admits he never experienced losing basketball in Chicago firsthand, having always been part of winning teams during his tenure.
Giddey's impact has been statistically impressive and fundamentally transformative. The Australian is averaging close to a 20-point triple double this season, contributing significantly to the Bulls' 8-7 record that positions them firmly in playoff contention.
Weathering Challenges in Competitive Landscape
The journey hasn't been without obstacles. The Bulls experienced both a promising start and a challenging five-game losing streak. Giddey himself faced setbacks, including an ankle injury that forced him to miss playing time and a viral defensive lapse against De'Andre Hunter.
Despite occasional struggles, such as the 36-point defeat to Miami Heat where Giddey delivered a lone-hand performance of 19 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, coach Billy Donovan continues to demonstrate faith in the Australian. Giddey has been trusted with critical inbounds responsibilities in game-winning situations, successfully setting up centre Nikola Vučević for decisive baskets on multiple occasions.
Longley remains confident in Giddey's development and potential. "I believe in his talent. I believe in his intensity and I think his basketball intentions are pure," he states. "I really think he's the real thing, and I can't wait to sit in the stands and watch him do it. That would really join the dots for me."
