The Chicago Bulls hired former Portland Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter and seemingly asked him to do with Josh Giddey what he was able to with Deni Avdija. Splitter, of course, played a prominent role in helping Avdija make a first career All-Star Game appearance in 2025-26.
Unfortunately, the 2026-27 season opener revealed just how unlikely it is for Giddey to be able to do what Avdija did—and how unique the Trail Blazers star truly is.
Giddey had a tough go in the 2026-27 opener, as the likes of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Kawhi Leonard helped the Toronto Raptors lock him down. He finished with seven rebounds and six assists, but he scored just two points on 1-of-10 shooting and committed five turnovers.
A single game doesn't necessarily prove anything, but it was an important reminder of how Giddey isn't the downhill force that Avdija has proven to be.
That's one of the primary reasons simply comparing triple-double threats due to their size and general skill sets is a flawed tactic. Yes, Splitter should be able to help Giddey optimize his impact, but he won't be able to use him in the same way that he played Avdija.
In an NBA that all but requires franchise players to be able to get downhill in a tough spot, that fundamental difference is why Giddey won't emulate Avdija's leap.
Tiago Splitter can't just swap Deni Avdija out for Josh Giddey
Giddey is by no means unable to create dribble penetration. In 2025-26, he ranked No. 6 in the NBA with 20.6 drives per game. That's an elite number that reveals how capable he is of utilizing his size and skill set to get closer to the rim.
There are simply levels to this conversation, as Avdija ranked No. 1 in the same statistic at a remarkable 27.8 drives per game. There are also stylistic differences.
Avdija shot 53.3 percent on 7.9 field goal attempts off of drives per game, while Giddey converted 46.9 percent of his 6.3 shots. Avdija also averaged 4.9 free throw attempts via drives, whereas Giddey checked in at 2.6.
Each of those numbers speak to the manner in which their drives are orchestrated and even finished, as Avdija powers to the rim and draw fouls, while Giddey relies more on finesse.
Deni Avdija and Josh Giddey have similarities, but also key differences
Furthermore, Avdija ranked in the 99th percentile in rim shot creation and the 78th percentile in foul drawn rate, per Basketball Index. Giddey ranked in the 75th and 58th percentiles himself. Furthermore, Avdija isn't the on-ball liability that Giddey is on defense.
Though not elite, Avdija ranked in the 59th percentile in perimeter isolation defense, while Giddey finished in the 16th percentile himself.
Clearly, Splitter could adjust his tactics and ask Giddey to make a leap through different means. When great defenses lock in on finesse players, however, they must have a way to break through. Avdija leans on his physicality and determined driving, while Giddey has yet to display a go-to strength in such a moment.
Until that changes, Giddey emulating Avdija's leap under Splitter will be a tough promise to deliver on due to the subtle yet essential differences between them.
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