Josh Giddey equals Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar record in Chicago Bulls defeat

Josh Giddey levels Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in triple-doubles

Giddey’s most impressive quality is his all-around game; he contributes at an elite level in several different ways.

He is scoring a career-high 22 points per game on solid field goal (45.6%) and three-point (37.0%) efficiency as the Bulls’ first option.

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Giddey is also Chicago’s primary ball-handler, and only Nikola Jokic (10.9), LaMelo Ball (9.9), and Cade Cunningham (9.9) are putting up more assists.

The 23-year-old also rebounds the ball more than any other guard in the NBA, including Luka Doncic (8.9).

With these statistics, it’s no surprise that he often records triple-doubles, like his 26, 13, and 13 against the Utah Jazz on Sunday.

Giddey now has 21 triple-doubles in his NBA career, the same as Lakers greats Bryant and Abdul-Jabbar.

He is also one of only three Bulls players to have double-digit triple-doubles, alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

Josh Giddey pinpoints Chicago Bulls issue

The Chicago Bulls have already exceeded expectations by being competitive this season, but they can still do better.

They lost 150-147 to the Jazz in double overtime on Sunday, with Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George combining for 80 points.

Giddey highlighted the Bulls’ issue of failing to stop their opponents’ best players from scoring at will.

“It’s been an issue for us where the main guys have gone off in the fourth quarters and taken over games,” he said. “We can’t leave that responsibility to one person.

“Every team goes to their best guys down the stretch, and they were no different tonight. They played through George and Lauri in the fourth quarter and overtime.

“They made tough shots; it wasn’t like they were making uncontested catch-and-shoot shots, but we can’t leave guys on an island to defend these players because they’re too big and too good.”