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'Shocking': NBA fans left fuming over Josh Giddey snub

Australia's Josh Giddey was left off this season's All Rookie first team, leaving some fans irritated by what they considered a snub. (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
Australia's Josh Giddey was left off this season's All Rookie first team, leaving some fans irritated by what they considered a snub. (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) (NBAE via Getty Images)

Australian NBA star Josh Giddey has been left off this season's All Rookie first team in what fans have described as a blatant snub of the OKC Thunder guard.

The 19-year-old earned All Rookie second team honours, but many NBA fans and observers felt he and New Orleans Pelicans rookie Herb Jones were hard done by not making the first five.

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Giddey starred in his first season for the rebuilding Thunder after being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 draft.

In 54 games this season, Giddey averaged 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists, earning Western Conference Rookie of the Month honours no less than four times.

The first team was comprised of Cleveland's Evan Mobley, Toronto's Scottie Barnes, Detroit's Cade Cunningham, Orlando's Franz Wagner and Houston's Jalen Green.

It was the inclusion of Green which caused the most frustration among fans, with the Rockets rookie averaging 17 points for the season - but it was the one dimensional aspect of his season which left fans irritated.

While Green's scoring improved over the season, his high turnover rate and lackluster defensive stats lead many to believe either Giddey or Jones were more deserving.

Giddey became a regular starter and showed a better balance of scoring and playmaking, while Jones, a second round pick, similarly became a starter based on his incredible defensive ability and rapidly improving three point shot.

The Melbourne born star led all rookies in assists, was second in rebounding and seventh in points.

He had been left dismayed after not earning a single vote for rookie of the year, and was equally frustrated by being overlooked for the first team - taking to social media to share the results of the voting with laughing emojis.

In January the 19-year-old Giddey became the youngest player to register an NBA triple-double, a hip injury ending his season prematurely, playing just one game following the All Star break thanks to a hip injury.

Josh Giddey shakes of NBA rookie snub

Giddey previously admitted he was disappointed to be overlooked for one of three nominations for the Rookie of the Year award last month.

"I missed a lot of games, which I understand, it is what it is. But I don't want to dig too much into it," Giddey said then.

"Looking back in five or 10 years, it's not going to bother me, so it sucks, it is disappointing, but we move on."

Alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey gave the Thunder plenty to look forward to during a 24-58 season.

Josh Giddey earned All Rookie second team thanks to his impressive debut season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Josh Giddey earned All Rookie second team thanks to his impressive debut season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Green (17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists) meanwhile was part of the only team to finish below them in the West, the Rockets slumping to a 20-62 campaign.

But Green's efforts were still enough to win over the voting media and broadcasters, who were asked to select their five-man rookie first and second teams.

Players received two points for each first team vote and one for each second team vote, Giddey collecting 24 first-team votes and 74 second team votes for a combined total of 122 votes.

Green (58 first-team votes and 42 second-team votes) won 158 votes, while Eastern Conference trio Barnes, Cunningham and Mobley (200 votes) were all unanimously awarded 100 first-team votes.

Orlando's Franz Wagner was the other first-team selection, while Jones, Bones Hyland, Ayo Dosunmu and Chris Duarte joined Giddey in the reserves.

With AAP

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