Deni Avdija

[AZNKidd]

He has prior professional experience with high IQ and it shows. He orchestrated the offense on more than one occasion, and it's very rare for young non-center players nowadays to immediately recognize a size mismatch and backdown a player from outside 18 feet, which he did at least twice. He also plays the angles very well without the ball knowing where he should be in order for the passer to make passes. And lastly, he never gets tunnel vision when he has the ball.

[payitforward]

With some guys you can just see straight away. The kid does everything right when he has every reason to try to do his own things or divert from optimal basketball. His teammates played selfishly, but he just tried to make the correct play when given the ball, which he didn't really get much. Well done.

Avdija can realistically play 1-4, and when he fills out even the 5 in some lineups? his versatility is impressive.

I had the same impression, particularly in the first half when he appeared to be invisible to his team mates. I was shouting at the TV pass him the bloody ball!!

Let's hope everyone has learned now who he is: a top 5 lottery draft talent. He will have down/bad days for sure, but I have no doubt he should start as our SF.

Absolutely!

& even in that case, it would have been possible for him to come out & have a less auspicious debut than he did -- so... what a treat it was to watch him!

[tontoz]

With some guys you can just see straight away. The kid does everything right when he has every reason to try to do his own things or divert from optimal basketball. His teammates played selfishly, but he just tried to make the correct play when given the ball, which he didn't really get much. Well done.

Avdija can realistically play 1-4, and when he fills out even the 5 in some lineups? his versatility is impressive.

I had the same impression, particularly in the first half when he appeared to be invisible to his team mates. I was shouting at the TV pass him the bloody ball!!

Let's hope everyone has learned now who he is: a top 5 lottery draft talent. He will have down/bad days for sure, but I have no doubt he should start as our SF.

Didn't watch the game but I am not that interested in seeing him start right away. Sharing the court with Westbrook and Beal means he will be relegated to the role of spot up shooter who doesn't get many shots.

With the second team he will get more opportunities to show his ability with the ball in his hands.

[doclinkin]

With some guys you can just see straight away. The kid does everything right when he has every reason to try to do his own things or divert from optimal basketball. His teammates played selfishly, but he just tried to make the correct play when given the ball, which he didn't really get much. Well done.

Avdija can realistically play 1-4, and when he fills out even the 5 in some lineups? his versatility is impressive.

I had the same impression, particularly in the first half when he appeared to be invisible to his team mates. I was shouting at the TV pass him the bloody ball!!

Let's hope everyone has learned now who he is: a top 5 lottery draft talent. He will have down/bad days for sure, but I have no doubt he should start as our SF.

Didn't watch the game but I am not that interested in seeing him start right away. Sharing the court with Westbrook and Beal means he will be relegated to the role of spot up shooter who doesn't get many shots.

With the second team he will get more opportunities to show his ability with the ball in his hands.

I think I'd agree with this. As long as we are getting him touches. I really think our second line can be pretty dynamic, especially in a season where we will need to cycle players freely in/out to keep fresh legs and energy. We go 3 deep in smarts and savvy and hustle if not athleticism

Ish/Neto
TBJ/Matthews
Deni/Bonga
Bertans/Deni
Moe/...?

Seems like there are smart ballhandlers and shooters in the wings and front court, players who hustle and fight at high energy. Ranged shooters 2-5.

We do need a muscular and fierce rebounder/finisher in the front court. But we need that guy regardless.

As for Deni. He looks like he can plug in at 1-4, wherever he is needed. He should be the first guy off the bench no matter who needs relief. I think he will develop not just confidence but proper athletic arrogance helping lead the 2nd team against either gassed starters or bench level talent. If we had a bench that could stretch leads and not just hold them it would be a superior weapon. Tough to imagine, one can dream... but with TBJ, Deni, Bertans if you squint you can see that dream as possible. Ish and Neto as well.

[nate33]

We do need a muscular and fierce rebounder/finisher in the front court. But we need that guy regardless.

It's a real shame. Tristian Thompson on that 2-year MLE contract would have been a perfect addition instead of Lopez and Gill.

Though I doubt he would have signed here for the same contract that he signed in Boston.

[doclinkin]

We do need a muscular and fierce rebounder/finisher in the front court. But we need that guy regardless.

It's a real shame. Tristian Thompson on that 2-year MLE contract would have been a perfect addition instead of Lopez and Gill.

Though I doubt he would have signed here for the same contract that he signed in Boston.

Or any of the Bigs in this years draft.

[Ruzious]

We do need a muscular and fierce rebounder/finisher in the front court. But we need that guy regardless.

It's a real shame. Tristian Thompson on that 2-year MLE contract would have been a perfect addition instead of Lopez and Gill.

Though I doubt he would have signed here for the same contract that he signed in Boston.

And Thompson always seems effective against the Wiz. He's not flashy, but he's great on the offensive boards, plays smart and physical defense, and hits the mid-range shots.

[nate33]

We do need a muscular and fierce rebounder/finisher in the front court. But we need that guy regardless.

It's a real shame. Tristian Thompson on that 2-year MLE contract would have been a perfect addition instead of Lopez and Gill.

Though I doubt he would have signed here for the same contract that he signed in Boston.

And Thompson always seems effective against the Wiz. He's not flashy, but he's great on the offensive boards, plays smart and physical defense, and hits the mid-range shots.

Yup, he's just a big, mean dude who wears out the opposition with his punishing inside play. He's also a surprisingly quick-footed defender. His strengths are precisely this team's weaknesses.

[nate33]

We do need a muscular and fierce rebounder/finisher in the front court. But we need that guy regardless.

It's a real shame. Tristian Thompson on that 2-year MLE contract would have been a perfect addition instead of Lopez and Gill.

Though I doubt he would have signed here for the same contract that he signed in Boston.

Or any of the Bigs in this years draft.

Well, I'm happy with the Avdija pick so far. And none of the bigs we liked were still available at #37.

[doclinkin]

It's a real shame. Tristian Thompson on that 2-year MLE contract would have been a perfect addition instead of Lopez and Gill.

Though I doubt he would have signed here for the same contract that he signed in Boston.

Or any of the Bigs in this years draft.

Well, I'm happy with the Avdija pick so far. And none of the bigs we liked were still available at #37.

Yes. I wanted whatever creative wheeling and dealing would snag us an extra pick. But Deni makes this draft a success. Easier to find a banger and rim runner somewhere else.

[nate33]

Or any of the Bigs in this years draft.

Well, I'm happy with the Avdija pick so far. And none of the bigs we liked were still available at #37.

Yes. I wanted whatever creative wheeling and dealing would snag us an extra pick. But Deni makes this draft a success. Easier to find a banger and rim runner somewhere else.

It's really disappointing that they couldn't manage to trade up 3 spots for Tillman.

[doclinkin]

Well, I'm happy with the Avdija pick so far. And none of the bigs we liked were still available at #37.

Yes. I wanted whatever creative wheeling and dealing would snag us an extra pick. But Deni makes this draft a success. Easier to find a banger and rim runner somewhere else.

It's really disappointing that they couldn't manage to trade up 3 spots for Tillman.

You're singing my theme song for the draft. Yeah, him. (Saddiq Bey also is looking good. Ditto Isaiah Stewart). But maybe Deni by himself provides both upside and depth.

And who knows, if he develops, maybe Yoeli Childs is that guy. Not the defender and BBIQ of XT, but some muscle and range and hustle.

[Kanyewest]

They could have used the cash on Lopez to move up a bit in the draft.

[prime1time]

This is the Advija thread...

Watch on YouTube

What stood out to me is 1:33. Prince plays him tight, he rejects the screen and blows by him. I was going to break down Advija's Macabi games but the reality is that he improves so much from one year to the next that it wouldn't be accurate. He should be the starting small forward. He can already shoot, put the ball on the floor and create for others. In 2 or 3 years he's going to be a terror. If he can be a lights out shooter, we may have drafted the best player in the draft because while his counterparts are working on basics, he'll be working on high-level skill moves built on breaking defenses down. In terms of ability and skill Advija is probably in a class by himself compared to other Wizards draft picks. People throw out the Brad comparison, but it took Beal several years before he could create off the dribble. Deni's at where Brad was 3 or 4 years into his career. Let's be clear the only knock on Advija was his shooting. If that's not a problem, if he shot mid 40s at Macabi, he's arguably the #1 pick in the draft. And if his jumper continues to fall, we should view him as a major steal and a homerun.

[NatP4]

There is more than just shooting issues and even still, being a 50% free throw shooter doesn’t just disappear after a couple months. I’ve been a total nerd about this pick over the last month or so because this is the most excited I’ve ever been about a wizards team, I ended up watching some of his full games on YouTube. He really struggles to dribble with that left hand, and in pick and roll ball handling, he still isn’t some explosive athlete, he plays upright and is prone to losing the ball.

Not an expert at all whatsoever, but just my observations of his issues, left hand dribbling, some decision making, shooting off the dribble (just does not make off the dribble shots), he can also fall asleep off the ball at times.

I still see a future stud that can create his own shot, create for others, defend, rebound, play any role on the court, and give great effort and has great basketball IQ. Satoransky with a killer instinct and better size.

[prime1time]

There is more than just shooting issues and even still, being a 50% free throw shooter doesn’t just disappear after a couple months. I’ve been a total nerd about this pick over the last month or so because this is the most excited I’ve ever been about a wizards team, I ended up watching some of his full games on YouTube. He really struggles to dribble with that left hand, and in pick and roll ball handling, he still isn’t some explosive athlete, he plays upright and is prone to losing the ball.

Not an expert at all whatsoever, but just my observations of his issues, left hand dribbling, some decision making, shooting off the dribble (just does not make off the dribble shots), he can also fall asleep off the ball at times.

I still see a future stud that can create his own shot, create for others, defend, rebound, play any role on the court, and give great effort and has great basketball IQ. Satoransky with a killer instinct and better size.

I’d point out that the 50% was a small sample size and that after he came back from the shutdown another small sample
size, his percentage went up (67% iirc) still low. In addition, he was a 35% shooter in Macabi’s Israel league and his shooting percentages went up.

But let’s take a step back. If he was shooting 40% from 3 and 85% from the free-throw line he wouldn’t have been available at 9. To be a successful team in the NBA you have to carve out competitive advantages. If you can fix/rehabilitate potentially problematic shooters you can carve out a competitor advantage. For example, if I’m a GM what should I care about more, a small arbitrary sample size or the word of my shooting coach who can evaluate a shot form and tell you how good or bad a jumper is? You bring up his 50% or so shooting from the ft line. In college, Ben Simmons shot 67% from the ft line. Yet there’s a very big difference between the two players. This is why scouts missed on Advija. Because all people do is talk about percentages without analysis or context. Looking only at percentages, I’d argue that Ben Simmons was a better shooter coming into the draft that Deni. Heck, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist short 74.5% from the ft line I college. Yet here we are. This is precisely why the Wizards have been able to find a competitive advantage. I remember when Beal came into the league. He had a beautiful jumper, but his 3-point percentages were low and people said he couldn’t shoot. I hope the rest of the league never figures out how silly this is. It is tough to win in this league.

[payitforward]

This is the Advija thread...

Watch on YouTube

What stood out to me is 1:33. Prince plays him tight, he rejects the screen and blows by him. I was going to break down Advija's Macabi games but the reality is that he improves so much from one year to the next that it wouldn't be accurate. He should be the starting small forward. He can already shoot, put the ball on the floor and create for others. In 2 or 3 years he's going to be a terror. If he can be a lights out shooter, we may have drafted the best player in the draft because while his counterparts are working on basics, he'll be working on high-level skill moves built on breaking defenses down. In terms of ability and skill Advija is probably in a class by himself compared to other Wizards draft picks. People throw out the Brad comparison, but it took Beal several years before he could create off the dribble. Deni's at where Brad was 3 or 4 years into his career. Let's be clear the only knock on Advija was his shooting. If that's not a problem, if he shot mid 40s at Macabi, he's arguably the #1 pick in the draft. And if his jumper continues to fall, we should view him as a major steal and a homerun.

For sure! & there were some analysts who called him the best prospect in the draft. It's just unreal good luck that he fell to us at #9.

I called for us to trade down -- but I would never have completed that deal w/ Deni on the board.

[doclinkin]

Not an expert at all whatsoever, but just my observations of his issues, left hand dribbling, some decision making, shooting off the dribble (just does not make off the dribble shots), he can also fall asleep off the ball at times.

I still see a future stud that can create his own shot, create for others, defend, rebound, play any role on the court, and give great effort and has great basketball IQ. Satoransky with a killer instinct and better size.

And too the test is also how a player adjusts when scouting catches up with them and teams can game plan. However, his ability to build a jumper on the fly is what is most hopeful to me. Because it suggests he can recognize his own weaknesses and in short order fix them. And his evident smarts on the court speak to that as well, that even if he has weaknesses he will work around them and make other players better with his play. This game, his first, he played like an instant veteran. Teams won't leave him wide open anymore. The fun part is that we get to see him learn and adjust even if and when he does struggle. The kid looks like he relishes that part of the game: the adjustment part of being an individual in a team game.

[tontoz]

That one legged jumper near the ft line that he shot moving to his left, I don't remember seeing a move like that before although I am sure some have done it.

He did it so smoothly which I found odd. That isn't the type of shot you would expect a young guy to be practicing.

[nate33]

I'm not ready to break out the rookie of the year award just yet. His biggest weakness is a total lack of a left hand. That's going to come out in the scouting report and he'll probably struggle for a while. But he'll figure it out. It might take a year or two, but it's not THAT hard to learn to play to your off hand. He'll become a real force when his handle gets tighter (and lower to the ground) and he learns to go to his left just as well as he goes right.