Deni Avdija

[tontoz]

In the last 3 games he has attempted 13 3s, averaging 21 minutes per game. I think we can officially rule out a Simmons level scared to shoot scenario.

[Dolevi]

In the last 3 games he has attempted 13 3s, averaging 21 minutes per game. I think we can officially rule out a Simmons level scared to shoot scenario.

It's about damn time. He needs to keep his agressiveness in offense and make plays, get contact and fouls. If he'll keep it up, his stats will keep raising up and he'll get a spot in the 5 starters (even though with how they look rn, maybe he can play there already lol).

[arusinov]

Read on Twitter

Shot-blocking abilities of Avdija are much much less surprising than most people think.

Deni had 2.4 blk per game in Euro U20 (2nd in tournament) including 3.3 blk per game in QF/SF/F stretch. Look here

Watch on YouTube

at 15,28,32,41,56,65,120,159 sec. marks...

But I was told like hundred times that those are irrelevant in NBA

[arusinov]

In the last 3 games he has attempted 13 3s, averaging 21 minutes per game. I think we can officially rule out a Simmons level scared to shoot scenario.

And who did think that such question exist?

Simmons shot 1 3P / 3 3PA in 33 games in his NCAA year before draft... Deni shot 61 3P / 183 3PA in 58 games his pre-draft season.
Basically same number of 3PA per game as Simmons per season. But yes - both 33.3 % 3p%

[nate33]

One thing that's real encouraging is that Deni is getting the reputation of being a good defender. In many ways, that's just as important as actually being a good defender. With a good reputation, refs are going to be more willing to swallow their whistle when there is incidental contact.

[arusinov]

One thing that's real encouraging is that Deni is getting the reputation of being a good defender. In many ways, that's just as important as actually being a good defender. With a good reputation, refs are going to be more willing to swallow their whistle when there is incidental contact.

yes, there was an article where Avdija's defense was discussed with participation of Larry Hughes which is the last Wizards player that made NBA 1st defensive team... One of his major advices was precisely that: to build reputation - I think he spoke how he was talking around refs about how he's going to get season steals record or something like this

[nate33]

Avdija currently ranks as the 13th best defensive player in the league going by RAPTOR:
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/nba-player-ratings/

If you only count guys who have played 500+ minutes, he ranks 8th behind only: Gobert, Caruso, Giannic, Jokic, Turner, Mobley and Allen.

His overall RAPTOR ranking (offense and defense) is 45th, 35th if you ignore the low-minute guys.

[tontoz]

This month Deni is averaging 14.5 pts per 36 with a TS of 57.7%. This includes a 2 game stretch where he scored 2 pts total.

[dckingsfan]

This month Deni is averaging 14.5 pts per 36 with a TS of 57.7%. This includes a 2 game stretch where he scored 2 pts total.

Deni is puzzling me a bit (in advance, I will say he is only 21). But when he was inserted in the starting lineup he seemed to struggle (or was that just me)?

Either way he is a bright spot. But he definitely needs to continue to work on his 3 point shot and handles.

[arusinov]

This month Deni is averaging 14.5 pts per 36 with a TS of 57.7%. This includes a 2 game stretch where he scored 2 pts total.

Deni is puzzling me a bit (in advance, I will say he is only 21). But when he was inserted in the starting lineup he seemed to struggle (or was that just me)?

Either way he is a bright spot. But he definitely needs to continue to work on his 3 point shot and handles.

Well. Today Deni kind of explained what he thinks about his offense: ""I can tell you that I can do so much more on the offensive part - that I can be more aggressive; also driving from the left side, being more creative, but right now that's my role, and I'm currently doing what is the best for the team. My bread & butter is the defense."

Kind of: I can score much more, but don't have green light and stay disciplined

[Frichuela]

Deni is making great strides. His D is the best of the team already and his offense is steadily improving. Let’s not forget he is only 21 this January. If he has the 3rd year jump, watch out.

Overall he reminds me already of Andrei Kirilenko with better 3 pt shooting.

[Dolevi]

This month Deni is averaging 14.5 pts per 36 with a TS of 57.7%. This includes a 2 game stretch where he scored 2 pts total.

Deni is puzzling me a bit (in advance, I will say he is only 21). But when he was inserted in the starting lineup he seemed to struggle (or was that just me)?

Either way he is a bright spot. But he definitely needs to continue to work on his 3 point shot and handles.

Well. Today Deni kind of explained what he thinks about his offense: ""I can tell you that I can do so much more on the offensive part - that I can be more aggressive; also driving from the left side, being more creative, but right now that's my role, and I'm currently doing what is the best for the team. My bread & butter is the defense."

Kind of: I can score much more, but don't have green light and stay disciplined

He said also that his defensive effort kind of exhaustes him, and it's hard for him after to do his thing in offense. Actually, i don't know a lot of NBA players at stars / all-stars calibers, who guards the best player of the opponent every night. Most of them rest in D, so they will have the air to do things in O.

Deni produces every night at D, and recently he has been started to combine between them (D&O) very well.

[gambitx777]

He's also very young and needs time to work on his conditioning

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using RealGM mobile app

[Frichuela]

Kevin Broom on Avdija’s game last night:

Avdija was ultra-low usage (11.4% usage rate), but he scored 11 points on 5 field goal attempts, had 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block, and he played stellar defense once again. The team had a defensive rating (points allowed per possession x 100) of 89.1 with Avdija — the best mark of the game. The Wizards were +23 in Avdija’s 30 minutes.

Deni’s improved performance is the best story of the Wizards this season. Some hope for the future!

[nate33]

Kevin Broom on Avdija’s game last night:

Avdija was ultra-low usage (11.4% usage rate), but he scored 11 points on 5 field goal attempts, had 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block, and he played stellar defense once again. The team had a defensive rating (points allowed per possession x 100) of 89.1 with Avdija — the best mark of the game. The Wizards were +23 in Avdija’s 30 minutes.

Deni’s improved performance is the best story of the Wizards this season. Some hope for the future!

Yeah, I thought Avdija was fantastic last night (against Utah). He just knows how to play on defense. Offensively, I think he's doing a real nice job of finding his role. He doesn't really get any plays run for him, but the offense is diversified enough that he usually gets a few opportunities to attack a scrambling defense, and Deni is doing it nicely. He certainly blends in much better than in Brooks' offense when he literally just stood still in the corner all the time.

[NatP4]

Avdija currently ranks as the 13th best defensive player in the league going by RAPTOR:
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/nba-player-ratings/

If you only count guys who have played 500+ minutes, he ranks 8th behind only: Gobert, Caruso, Giannic, Jokic, Turner, Mobley and Allen.

His overall RAPTOR ranking (offense and defense) is 45th, 35th if you ignore the low-minute guys.

Update: 7th best

[nate33]

This month Deni is averaging 14.5 pts per 36 with a TS of 57.7%. This includes a 2 game stretch where he scored 2 pts total.

Deni is puzzling me a bit (in advance, I will say he is only 21). But when he was inserted in the starting lineup he seemed to struggle (or was that just me)?

Either way he is a bright spot. But he definitely needs to continue to work on his 3 point shot and handles.

Well. Today Deni kind of explained what he thinks about his offense: ""I can tell you that I can do so much more on the offensive part - that I can be more aggressive; also driving from the left side, being more creative, but right now that's my role, and I'm currently doing what is the best for the team. My bread & butter is the defense."

Kind of: I can score much more, but don't have green light and stay disciplined

I admire the confidence, but I think the team is handling him properly. I don't really think Avdija can efficiently take on much more offensively than he currently is handling. He is doing fine right now attacking a scrambling defense, or taking open 3's when available. I do like that he is doing a little more probing of the defense when he puts the ball on the floor. He used to play hot potato with the ball like he didn't even want it.

[nate33]

Avdija currently ranks as the 13th best defensive player in the league going by RAPTOR:
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/nba-player-ratings/

If you only count guys who have played 500+ minutes, he ranks 8th behind only: Gobert, Caruso, Giannic, Jokic, Turner, Mobley and Allen.

His overall RAPTOR ranking (offense and defense) is 45th, 35th if you ignore the low-minute guys.

Update: 7th best

If you use a 500 minutes cutoff, he is 5th.

[NatP4]

Just don’t look at how Garrison Mathews ranks

[nate33]

Just don’t look at how Garrison Mathews ranks