Deni Avdija

[Dolevi]

I'd like to see some more of Deni at PG. It's easier to hide his lack of shooting if he is the one with the ball. It worked pretty well against Charlotte when Morris was out. His individual numbers were good in the two Miami games with Morris out, but we lost those games. (It's really hard to gauge when playing that gimmick Miami zone defense.) Basically, I want him to be Satoransky but with superior switching ability on D. That would be a good starting point, and then hopefully he will progress as a shooter over time.

I think you pretty much nailed it here.

On a side note, to be frank, more then the shooting, I'm disappointed in him he didn't made that mental switch to be more aggressive chasing numbers. Now don't get me wrong Nate when I'm saying chasing numbers, not saying by any means he should put his own interest above the team's, but I really think he needs to find this inner motivation to be aggressive offensively on a nightly basis, which will benefit the team and also help him also finding confidence in his shooting, and his defensive-only assignments seem aren't doing enough to motivate him in that area, so at some point on his third season I thought that's the time for him to start and setting some personal goals that would make him a much better player, which will resulting in a much better help for the team. Like, chase after every rebound you can get, set a goal on every game to show one new offensive move you didn't show before, or set a goal to have a stretch of games with insanely high amount of boards and assists, especially if you see the team has enough scoring and you don't 'feel it' offensively in that specific game.

Basically I want him to be much hunger to be an exciting player and not just a meh one, which I'm sure he's capable of. I believe in his potential, and I think that Heat game when he was 1 rebound shy of a triple double reflects his current capability (with room to grow) more than his current meh numbers suggests, but I really want to start seeing him start looking more for exciting numbers that would be his motivation to also upgrade the team to the next level. There is untapped potential there. I really want somebody from his circle to wake him up, shake him off his frustrating passivity, and set him 'numbers' goals and not just defensive ones. And your idea of letting him be that Sato combined with his defense, can be that good starting point of firing that aggressiveness up in him, while also increasing the ceiling of the team having a 6'10 PG with defense and room to grow offensively.

Actually one thing he does have, and he talked about it, also with the israeli media - is the "dunks amount" for this season. Becuase of his misses around the rim, the missed lay-ups and all that, he said this year he has a target for specific amount of dunks. Right now it looks promising tbh. He has already dunked a lot more than the last season I think, and as a result of that - his % went up as well. I think data will show he has an improvement this year in finishing around the rim.

[Pistol King]

Actually one thing he does have, and he talked about it, also with the israeli media - is the "dunks amount" for this season. Becuase of his misses around the rim, the missed lay-ups and all that, he said this year he has a target for specific amount of dunks. Right now it looks promising tbh. He has already dunked a lot more than the last season I think, and as a result of that - his % went up as well. I think data will show he has an improvement this year in finishing around the rim.

That's a good thing. Makes me also wonder what was in his mind to try and finish in such a soft and predictable way in that attempt over D'Angelo Russell. I could think of 5 better different ways to finish in such situation. For example, go fast and dunk it with two hands instead of giving him all the time in the world to block your shot. Or try manipulating D-Lo to think you're going right then with a Euro step finish with right.

While challenging himself to dunk more is fine, it's far from enough. As I said in my previews post, he needs to challenge himself in various aspects of the game. Rebounds, assists, setting himself a goal like 'today I'm going to be completely confident to take at least 3 threes regardless of the outcome, before it affects my confidence'. Or 'tonight I'm making my best to grab 16+ rebounds because the teams needs it', The idea is to find something that will fire him up and change him from being in a passive mindset to an assertive one. You know what, he can even try and experiment making a small list of goals before each game. Depending on what he knows the team needs from him. Setting himself small goals that doesn't focusing on the result but more focused on the effort he needs to make to achieve it, can later open up for him a room to be setting other goals in other areas and that way slowly extending and upgrading his entire game and impact, from an assertive mindset. This is how you show progress.

[Dolevi]

Actually one thing he does have, and he talked about it, also with the israeli media - is the "dunks amount" for this season. Becuase of his misses around the rim, the missed lay-ups and all that, he said this year he has a target for specific amount of dunks. Right now it looks promising tbh. He has already dunked a lot more than the last season I think, and as a result of that - his % went up as well. I think data will show he has an improvement this year in finishing around the rim.

That's a good thing. Makes me also wonder what was in his mind to try and finish in such a soft and predictable way in that attempt over D'Angelo Russell. I could think of 5 better different ways to finish in such situation. For example, go fast and dunk it with two hands instead of giving him all the time in the world to block your shot. Or try manipulating D-Lo to think you're going right then with a Euro step finish with right.

While challenging himself to dunk more is fine, it's far from enough. As I said in my previews post, he needs to challenge himself in various aspects of the game. Rebounds, assists, setting himself a goal like 'today I'm going to be completely confident to take at least 3 threes regardless of the outcome, before it affects my confidence'. Or 'tonight I'm making my best to take 16+ rebounds because the teams needs it', The idea is to find something that will fire him up and change him from being in a passive mindset to an assertive one. You know what, he can even try and experiment making a small list of goals before each game. Depending on what he knows the team needs from him. Setting himself small goals that doesn't focusing on the result but more focused on the effort he needs to make to achieve it, can later open up for him a room to be setting other goals in other areas and that way slowly extending and upgrading his entire game and impact, from an assertive mindset. This is how you show progress.

Thought about that too.
Yes, I hope someone is challenging him on that, maybe a personal mental trainer, idk. I don't know if he himself can achieve that alone with no help. His mental state so far is more like a weakness in his game than an advantage.

[closg00]

Almost a triple double tonight. 12 points (could have been more, decided to pass the ball too often when he could have just scored), 9 boards including some important on offense, 2 blocks on Lowry and Herro if I remember right, 1 steal and most importantly - 10 Assists. First double-double with Assists in his career? Could have ended even with more than that I think. Sad he couldn't be a little bit more aggressive on offense at the end, and maybe lead the team to a win in this game, together with Kuz.

This. Someone has to tell Deni to be more aggressive and look for his shot. I believe he has all the tools, just needs more confidence.

Deni would ear himself quite a nice contract IF he was a scoring/shooting threat, the opponent game-planning on him is to let him shoot.

[Dark Faze]

His numbers are starting to reach an unplayable level. He has a .484 TS. Even as a lockdown defender, a lot of that's getting canceled out by forcing your offense into 4 on 5 situations. His best attributes won't let him get minutes at this rate with the way things are going on offense for him.

The "opportunities" argument is over. There's been plenty of opportunity. He's proving to be just not very good. I'm willing to keep him as a project player provided his next contract is decently south of MLE. 3 years/24 million is the highest I'd go currently.

[dobrojim]

If Rui wasn't out, Deni would be lucky to get 6-8 minutes a game the way he is shooting.
I hope he can turn it around and believe that is within the realm of possibility but right
now he's really hurting the team. Arvis Hayes.

[Pistol King]

Someone has translated an interesting post-game interview Deni had with an Israeli reporter.
https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtonwizards/comments/zd48vk/denis_postgame_interview_with_yoav_modai_from/

Usually players getting interviewed after good games. Interviews after bad games are those I like the most.

The reporter asked him some tough and direct questions.

I may add, personally as a fan of him, that I like it that he gets kicked in the ass by the media right mow. I'm very high on him but I think he needs this wake up call from the media. I can live with it if as a 21-22 years old he misses shots as long as he plays assertive, but I can't live with that if he's passive. I expected him to make a leap on his assertiveness this season, and excluded 4-5 games when Beal was out, it didn't happen yet.

There is also a reason why that benching vs the Celtics at the start of the season has bothered me. Deni came assertive to the start of the season and that scapegoating has changed something in his approach. To me (nothing but a guess) it feels WUJ doesn't want him to do much more other than taking open shots and guarding the best opposite player, and at some point it kinda hurt Deni's moral because he thought its very hard to develop his all around game in such role. But this is what it is and it's on him to figure it out and make the best out of this situation.

[dobrojim]

Being assertive is great, within limits. You gotta defend without fouling.
And it probably would help his cause if he had a more neutral reaction to
calls that go against him, even if the calls do seem biased at times.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Right now the Wizards should trade Hachimura and Kuzms for Collins. That would cure Deni quickly.

Porzingis, Collins, Advija would be a balanced front court. Deni would have no pressure to score. He could be a point forward.

The smartest thing Washington could do right now is look at advanced stats. Even with his bad offense Deni is a plus player.

[badinage]

Just curious — why would that trade cure him quickly?

[dckingsfan]

I think Deni has to cure Deni's shooting woes. Until that happens he is an offensive liability. He is a good defensive player but he isn't Gobert level. This is on Deni to prove that he belongs in the league.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Just curious — why would that trade cure him quickly?

Trades don’t change the player. They change the playing field. Situation change means different responsibilities.

Collins is a very efficient scorer. He’s a finisher who benefits from high usage. Deni is an elite facilitator. It would give Advidja a clearer role and more wide open shots where instead of having to create a shot all he would be is either a catch and shoot or a cutter for layups. Taking away Kuzma and Hachimura makes Deni next man up for their combined minutes not taken by Collins.

Minutes and role would be congruent. Pressure decreased. Without Deni having to make any adjustments.

[Dolevi]

Just curious — why would that trade cure him quickly?

Trades don’t change the player. They change the playing field. Situation change means different responsibilities.

Collins is a very efficient scorer. He’s a finisher who benefits from high usage. Deni is an elite facilitator. It would give Advidja a clearer role and more wide open shots where instead of having to create a shot all he would be is either a catch and shoot or a cutter for layups. Taking away Kuzma and Hachimura makes Deni next man up for their combined minutes not taken by Collins.

Minutes and role would be congruent. Pressure decreased. Without Deni having to make any adjustments.

+1
But the Wizards won't make that happen I think. Mostly because they can't know for 100% that Deni will be able to fit to this role. Deni has to make them see they can count on him for that, and he hasn't done yet. I won't say he's an elite facilitator, he has a potential to be, but he's not there yet. On paper, this is a good trade that clears up roles and chemistry in the team on offense. The question is, if Deni is even a part of their solution. If you asking me, I don't know. Anycase this is a better way to see if he has the potential to be in the NBA than stay in the same formula. I just think this is a good trade for the team even if you're not including Deni's potential in it. Collins for Kuz and Hachi? I wish.

[Runner300]

Please just trade Deni anywhere...
Unrelated question: How long will Beal be out?

[lastemp3ror]

Is it me or does Deni play better when Beal is out?

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Is it me or does Deni play better when Beal is out?

Defense is the same albeit I think Deni plays harder, is more confident, when actually not an afterthought, decoy in other aspects of the game. Offensively, totally different roles.

With Beal, Deni is basically asked to be a low usage, spot up shooter at the three point line, which we'll all admittedly say that he's not good from at this point. Without Deal (Freudian slip there), Deni is allowed to be more of a facilitator, use the threat of the shot to drive to the paint, is a ball mover, and gets the team into sets.

It basically comes down to Beal feeling the need to pound the rock or have the ball in his hand constantly. This is the same case with Kuzma and Porzingis too, all pound the ball, one-on-one players. WUJ has zero clout over any of these three players, so they basically do whatever they want for better or worse.

[nate33]

Is it me or does Deni play better when Beal is out?

Defense is the same albeit I think Deni plays harder, is more confident, when actually not an afterthought, decoy in other aspects of the game. Offensively, totally different roles.

With Beal, Deni is basically asked to be a low usage, spot up shooter at the three point line, which we'll all admittedly say that he's not good from at this point. Without Deal (Freudian slip there), Deni is allowed to be more of a facilitator, use the threat of the shot to drive to the paint, is a ball mover, and gets the team into sets.

It basically comes down to Beal feeling the need to pound the rock or have the ball in his hand constantly. This is the same case with Kuzma and Porzingis too, all pound the ball, one-on-one players. WUJ has zero clout over any of these three players, so they basically do whatever they want for better or worse.

When Beal plays, Deni is just 3rd best ball handler so he gets a lot fewer touches. Why run offense through him when there are two other guys that can do it better? When Beal is out, Deni moves up to 2nd best ball handler, which means he gets to run almost every set that Morris doesn't run.

It's not really Beal's fault, or a matter of Beal pounding the rock. It's just how things usually work. When Morris missed 3 games, Avdija had one of his best runs. (Beal missed 1 of those games too.)

I'd really like to see Wes try and lineup with Avdija at PG and Morris coming off the bench. It'll make even more sense when (if?) Hachimura gets back. Right now, we don't really have enough forward depth to play Deni at PG.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Is it me or does Deni play better when Beal is out?

Defense is the same albeit I think Deni plays harder, is more confident, when actually not an afterthought, decoy in other aspects of the game. Offensively, totally different roles.

With Beal, Deni is basically asked to be a low usage, spot up shooter at the three point line, which we'll all admittedly say that he's not good from at this point. Without Deal (Freudian slip there), Deni is allowed to be more of a facilitator, use the threat of the shot to drive to the paint, is a ball mover, and gets the team into sets.

It basically comes down to Beal feeling the need to pound the rock or have the ball in his hand constantly. This is the same case with Kuzma and Porzingis too, all pound the ball, one-on-one players. WUJ has zero clout over any of these three players, so they basically do whatever they want for better or worse.

When Beal plays, Deni is just 3rd best ball handler so he gets a lot fewer touches. Why run offense through him when there is two other guys that can do it. When Beal is out, Deni moves up to 2nd best ball handler, which means he gets to run almost every set that Morris doesn't run.

But it's not really Beal's fault, or a matter of Beal pounding the rock. It's just how things usually work. When Morris missed 3 games, Avdija had one of his best runs. (Beal missed 1 of those games too.)

I'd really like to see Wes try and lineup with Avdija at PG and Morris coming off the bench. It'll make even more sense when (if?) Hachimura gets back. Right now, we don't really have enough forward depth to play Deni at PG.

Not saying to run the offense through Deni, not by any stretch, but letting him do other things instead of just watching from the three point line while Beal, Kuzma, and Porzinigis get there's doesn't have to be the answer either. Hell, maybe Kuzma and Beal would have more energy to play defense if they weren't expending so much energy on offense playing hero, one-on-one ball and playing within themselves. Too much to ask, I know.

Agreed with Deni at PG though, but another thing that is too much to ask.

[badinage]

If it’s me, I’m investing in a 21 yr old who plays near-elite D, is a crafty passer, and is developing nicely over a 29 yr old.

This team doesn’t have a focal point.

With Beal as the centerpiece, they don’t win enough. Porzingis + Beal is appealing in ways, but not a real foundation.

So, again, no focal point.

That means that if it’s me, I’m investing in the pieces we have who are worth nurturing — Deni, Kispy, maybe Kuz, Goodwin — and putting Beal and Porzingis into roles. Everyone plays a role, no one is made to star. If on any given night a guy gets hot, fine, feed him; let him go off. But if not, no one gets to be prima donna.

(I suppose I wouldn’t last long in the league as a coach, because what I would say to Beal is: “Look, dude, you have your moments. But you’re not a superstar or even — sorry — a star. Because you’re the best one-on-one creator we have, in the last 5 minutes we’ll look to you to bail us out when the shot clock winds down to 6 and we don’t have anything going. Otherwise, move the ball. Pick your spots to shoot — 13 attempts a game, max; choose wisely! And play defense as if you’re thisclose to being shipped out of the league. If you don’t, then you’re sitting. I’ll play Johnny Davis over you. I don’t care if we lose. We’re gonna play the game the way it should be played. We’re gonna stand for something.”)

[dobrojim]

I think Leonsis would dispose of WUJ in a NY minute if he started play Davis over Brad,
whether it's the right thing to do or not.