Basketball On The Internet.

BOB'S CORNER: More details have emerged about Josh Giddey's deteriorating NBA situation and our man in the USA, regular correspondent BOB CRAVEN is on the spot. Bob filed this report and sadly, it doesn't make thrilling reading for Josh's many homegrown Australian fans or his growing fanbase.

THERE'S more news coming out of Oklahoma City and elsewhere on the Josh Giddey situation.  Regarding the issue with the underage girl, it's now being reported that this incident took place two years ago, during his rookie year at age 19, and that the girl allegedly was only 15 at the time.

Several media reports are also now talking about how much his (and OKC's) game has fallen off this year, Giddey's numbers well down from those of the past couple of years. 

One report indicated that his chances of getting a new multi-year contract after this year for roughly US$300 million are now toast. 

That figure would have set a new record for an Aussie player in the NBA, exceeding the US$275 million deal Ben Simmons signed a couple of years ago.

Several reports say that the league has now figured him out.  It's well known how one of his biggest strengths has been his ability to beat his man and take the ball to the rim for a bucket, or for the easy assist to a teammate, if help picks him up. 

Most teams now sag off him if he has the ball outside and dare him to shoot the long ball, as the opposition packs the key forcing him either to take the open long shot, or to take it in deep anyway for either a very tough contested shot or a forced pass to a now well-covered teammate.

The other night, Houston made this strategy painfully obvious, as Giddey was often shown standing alone out by the 3-point line with no one within 3-4 metres of him, daring him to beat them with the 3-pointer. 

Several local reports suggested that he might be better used coming off the bench. 

There were even suggestions to trade him elsewhere, as he had become a liability for the team. 

Coming into this season, OKC was expected to be a serious contender for the league title, given that they would now have Chet Holmgren to add to what was supposed to be a very good team and improving team. 

Very little of that has come true so far this season.