Deni Avdija - Part II

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

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[arusinov]

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And weird one....
Last 20 games

Avdija: 15.2 pts / 7.1 reb/ 3.8 ast on 54.5 / 47.2 / 75.0 split, efg% 60.8%, ts% 64.4%, usg% 20.2 %

Kispert: 12.5 pts / 2.8 reb/ 1.6 ast on 51.4 / 33.6 / 86.2 split, efg% 61.5%, ts% 63.9%, usg% 20.2 %


Poole: 12.8 pts / 2.2 reb/ 3.7 ast on 38.7 / 26.9 / 83.3 split, efg% 44.9%, ts% 48.7%, usg% 21.4 %

[nate33]

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And weird one....
Last 20 games

Avdija: 15.2 pts / 7.1 reb/ 3.8 ast on 54.5 / 47.2 / 75.0 split, efg% 60.8%, ts% 64.4%, usg% 20.2 %

Kispert: 12.5 pts / 2.8 reb/ 1.6 ast on 51.4 / 33.6 / 86.2 split, efg% 61.5%, ts% 63.9%, usg% 20.2 %


Poole: 12.8 pts / 2.2 reb/ 3.7 ast on 38.7 / 26.9 / 83.3 split, efg% 44.9%, ts% 48.7%, usg% 21.4 %

This is frustrating as hell to watch. Please make it stop!

[NatP4]

Hire a competent coach in the offseason

[DCZards]

Things seem to be changing. There’s increased recognition of Deni’s value on the offensive end and you’re seeing it in both minutes and touches.

Last night against Philly I also saw more synergy between Kuz and Deni than I’ve seen all season.

[2Fluffy4U]

I think these last games are indicative of more than just statistical growth - but mental maturation.
I believe it is essential to let Deni have a key role alongside Bilal and upcoming draftees - as I expect he can mentor them through adversities and promote a 'making the right play' team spirit.
He will not become a #1 scorer on any team - but he certainly asserted himself as the #3 glue guy swiss army..

[nate33]

Hire a competent coach in the offseason

I think the rotation decisions made by the coaches have actually been pretty good in all respects except for Jordan Poole. I like the way they stagger Kuzma and Avdija. Coulibaly is getting 27 minutes a game. Kispert is getting a lot of touches when he is out there and his USG% is up from 14.1 last year to 20.1 this year. Gafford got all the minutes he could handle.

I just don't understand how the worst player in the league can continue to start. I get that they were willing to give him 20 games or so to see if he can get his confidence and a good feel for the offensive system, but let's face it, it ain't happening. He is just a bad player. At some point, your willingness to be patient with Poole is undermining the meritocracy you are trying to establish with the rest of the roster.

[tontoz]

Deni is just bullying guys taking it to the basket several times a game, like he is being guarded by high school players. Hard to believe this is the same guy we were watching last year.

[nate33]

Deni is just bullying guys taking it to the basket several times a game, like he is being guarded by high school players. Hard to believe this is the same guy we were watching last year.

You can tell he worked on that move with Kuzma. It’s the same thing Kuzma does, get a half step on a defender, lower the shoulder to create space and maybe draw a foul, and then toss up that floater.

Kuzma haters need to acknowledge that there definitely are some intangibles he is providing to the team, whether they like his on court production or not.

[payitforward]

Makes perfect sense, nate. Kuz is one smart, motivated guy. Head in the right place too.

[dckingsfan]

Deni is just bullying guys taking it to the basket several times a game, like he is being guarded by high school players. Hard to believe this is the same guy we were watching last year.

You can tell he worked on that move with Kuzma. It’s the same thing Kuzma does, get a half step on a defender, lower the shoulder to create space and maybe draw a foul, and then toss up that floater.

Kuzma haters need to acknowledge that there definitely are some intangibles he is providing to the team, whether they like his on court production or not.

Now the question is will Kuz step up on the court as well - I really hope he figures it out because an efficient Kuz + Deni + Bilal isn't a bad forward rotation. And a very friendly cap forward rotation at that...

[AFM]

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[DCZards]

Deni is just bullying guys taking it to the basket several times a game, like he is being guarded by high school players. Hard to believe this is the same guy we were watching last year.

You can tell he worked on that move with Kuzma. It’s the same thing Kuzma does, get a half step on a defender, lower the shoulder to create space and maybe draw a foul, and then toss up that floater.

Kuzma haters need to acknowledge that there definitely are some intangibles he is providing to the team, whether they like his on court production or not.

Now the question is will Kuz step up on the court as well - I really hope he figures it out because an efficient Kuz + Deni + Bilal isn't a bad forward rotation. And a very friendly cap forward rotation at that...

Kuz’s efficiency is tied somewhat to Deni’s development. The more Deni improves as a scorer the less Kuz has to shoulder offensively.

[nate33]

Over the last 22 games, Deni is averaging 15.5 points, 7.6 boards and 3.8 assists on a .637 TS% and .469 3P% while being our best perimeter defender. Those aren't per 36 numbers. Those are his actual numbers (playing 29.3 minutes per game). Per 36, he is averaging 19.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

Everyone is fawning over Jalen Johnson and as an MIP frontrunner, yet Johnson is averaging 15.7 points, 8.5 boards, 3.4 assists in 33 minutes on a .601 TS% and .366 3P% with Trae setting him up. Per 36, Johnson is averaging 16.7 points, 9.0 boards and 3.7 assists.

So over his last 22 games anyway, Deni is scoring, rebounding and assisting better than Jalen Johnson, with a better TS% and a significantly better 3P%.

[dckingsfan]

You can tell he worked on that move with Kuzma. It’s the same thing Kuzma does, get a half step on a defender, lower the shoulder to create space and maybe draw a foul, and then toss up that floater.

Kuzma haters need to acknowledge that there definitely are some intangibles he is providing to the team, whether they like his on court production or not.

Now the question is will Kuz step up on the court as well - I really hope he figures it out because an efficient Kuz + Deni + Bilal isn't a bad forward rotation. And a very friendly cap forward rotation at that...

Kuz’s efficiency is tied somewhat to Deni’s development. The more Deni improves as a scorer the less Kuz has to shoulder offensively.

I think somewhat is the key. I think this is mostly on Kuz & Keefe.

[dckingsfan]

Adding to Nate's comments - Deni is now 37th in the league in defensive rebounding percentage and climbing.

[9 and 20]

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This was cool to see. Multiple times going strong to the basket. Much, much better than previous few years.

[nate33]

Adding to Nate's comments - Deni is now 37th in the league in defensive rebounding percentage and climbing.

Yeah, and looking at the list, there are only 10 non-centers ahead of him and most of them are old school power forwards whom I would really characterize as a "big" rather than a "wing" - guys like Giannis, Portis, Randle and Jabari Smith.

Basically, the only wings are who are rebounding better than Deni are Luka, Jalen Johnson, Josh Hart and Jason Tatum.

[nate33]

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This was cool to see. Multiple times going strong to the basket. Much, much better than previous few years.

I liked the play at 1:18 when he spins to his right shoulder because a post defender is on his left shoulder trying to take away his strong right hand. I've seen him do this a couple of times now and it's really effective. He is becoming a real problem if he gets guarded by a small guy in a switch. Deni is just too strong now.

[Pistol King]

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This was cool to see. Multiple times going strong to the basket. Much, much better than previous few years.

What I loved is the play on 0:33'. Oubre recognizing Deni gets the ball, so he immediately trying to block his path to drive right. Deni recognizing it, and without hesitation dribbling and driving from the right side, using his left hand to blow by Oubre. The type of progress I'm happy to see him making.

Deni has great speed for his size. A really underrated physical aspect he has. Why I'm saying he has great speed? because he usually blows by defenders solely on speed and nothing more.

Adding two or three counter moves to his straight line drives, a cross over, a Euro step or a drive and stop for a middy (like he did here on 1:51' mark): https://youtu.be/pYNBlGzsBLg

would open up much more to his driving game that right now relies only on speed and body strength, which can be a very tiring thing to do over and over.

I'm very intrigued to see if Deni is willing to put in the work of developing his game to a versatile scorer, which would rise up his ceiling, or would he rather choose an easier approach of just mastering the skills he already has.