Spud2nique wrote:For every Luka there will be a bust like this dude. Hoping he makes it for his sake I don’t wanna knock the kid but this style of frantic bs ain’t gonna fly in the NBA. He’s gonna be Bender ish... Saric ish .
I see Boris Diaw.
Moderators: dms269, Jamaaliver, HMFFL
Spud2nique wrote:For every Luka there will be a bust like this dude. Hoping he makes it for his sake I don’t wanna knock the kid but this style of frantic bs ain’t gonna fly in the NBA. He’s gonna be Bender ish... Saric ish .
kg01 wrote:Spud2nique wrote:For every Luka there will be a bust like this dude. Hoping he makes it for his sake I don’t wanna knock the kid but this style of frantic bs ain’t gonna fly in the NBA. He’s gonna be Bender ish... Saric ish .
I see Boris Diaw.
jayu70 wrote:kg01 wrote:Spud2nique wrote:For every Luka there will be a bust like this dude. Hoping he makes it for his sake I don’t wanna knock the kid but this style of frantic bs ain’t gonna fly in the NBA. He’s gonna be Bender ish... Saric ish .
I see Boris Diaw.
Which version of Diaw? Hawks, Suns,Spurs?
The AthleticChris Kirchner wrote:Deni Avdija, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv
What the Hawks are missing in their young forwards is someone who can be a high-level playmaker. Avdija can be that kind of player in the NBA and would fit nicely with what the Hawks have in De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish. In the Hawks’ heavy pick-and-roll and transition offense, Avdija would thrive as a facilitator. He’s especially quick running a transition offense and has a knack for looking ahead on a fast break to find the open man.
He perfectly fits the Hawks’ offensive shot profile, too, as someone who gets most of his points from finishing at the rim and from 3...having Avdija would give the Hawks another threat at the rim. He has no problem driving to the basket and trying to finish through contact. Avdija was also solid defensively in Europe, but his projection on defense in the NBA is suspect because he doesn’t have the length to be a rim-protecting four, like Hunter, and I don’t know if he has the quickness to guard wings on the perimeter. His positional fit definitely has the potential to be a problem.
His shooting is also concerning. It’s rare for someone to be an effective shooter in the NBA with how poor of a free-throw shooter he is (below 56 percent this season). His foul-shooting percentages are so dreadful that it should give teams pause on projecting his future, especially if he’s being considered as a top-five pick.
If his shooting can be corrected, his feel for the game and the ability to be a playmaking forward would be a nice addition for the Hawks. His shot already looks like it’s getting better.
Chris Kirchner wrote:...I feel like [Avdija] makes sense for what the Hawks could use. Reddish and Hunter haven’t shown much creation yet...Avdija has that playmaking ability right now, and I feel like he would be a good fit.
The AthleticJohn Hollinger wrote:As for Avdija...I agree with you that he should be a person of interest for Atlanta. The Hawks could use another combo forward regardless of how they plan to line up next year; the worst-case scenario is that Avdija could back up both forward spots in a hybrid of the Bembry and Vince Carter roles. He has played well in Israel since play resumed there and has likely helped his draft stock some.
Jamaaliver wrote:I'm really afraid this kid is Jan Vessely/Andrea Barngnani reborn...but he's played well of late and seems like a really good fit for us.Chris Kirchner wrote:...I feel like [Avdija] makes sense for what the Hawks could use. Reddish and Hunter haven’t shown much creation yet...Avdija has that playmaking ability right now, and I feel like he would be a good fit.The AthleticJohn Hollinger wrote:As for Avdija...I agree with you that he should be a person of interest for Atlanta. The Hawks could use another combo forward regardless of how they plan to line up next year; the worst-case scenario is that Avdija could back up both forward spots in a hybrid of the Bembry and Vince Carter roles. He has played well in Israel since play resumed there and has likely helped his draft stock some.
GSW -- SB NationAn inside look at top 2020 NBA Draft prospect Deni Avdija
Could his playmaking skills make him a good fit
If I look at the top-three places to land...I think Atlanta can be a great fit from the perspective because they’re a young team. If he can maintain a 35% from the 3-point line, and make good reads both offensively and defensively, he can be a good fit with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson in Golden State. When I imagine Avdija’s smarts in terms of making the right cuts, and right plays, he would work well with Steph and Klay. I think people in Israel are drooling at the thought of Avdija joining the Warriors. One possible knock is that Avdija is such a young player, so he might not fit with a team whose championship window is now.
He played more minutes against top competition than the other top prospects in the draft. He’s been playing in the EuroLeague, now in the Israeli League, which is the best outside of the NBA. With so many former NBA players playing here, the game resembles more of the pro style, than it does the NCAA. The other thing is playing with Maccabi, which is a club that has won more than 50 championships. They’re a European powerhouse. When you play for Maccabi, you’re expected to win every game, and every quarter. They had a couple of down years, and when they got Casspi and Avdija, they became a contender again.
He knows what the pressure is like. You have hundreds of thousands of supporters. Playing with Maccabi is one of the best places to prepare yourself mentally for the NBA. They play two-or-three games a week, so he’s getting in a lot of game minutes. His nature, and maturity make him a fit. I don’t know if he can be a starter on a championship team, but if he can keep improving his shooting, I think he can be an amazing fit in Steve Kerr’s style of play.
Babcock HoopsProspect Spotlight: Deni Avdija
A 6’9” combo forward, Avdija is probably better suited to be a small-ball four in the NBA. Nonetheless, he has shown impressive versatility on both sides of the floor where he is also proving to be a much better wing defender than initially expected. His inconsistent three-point shot remains his Achilles’ heel, but the rest of his game is airtight. Avdija’s versatility and overall skill set have led me to draw comparisons to European players like Nemanja Bjelica, Dejan Bodiroga, Danilo Gallinari, and Toni Kukoc. His ability as a facilitator at 6’9” also reminds me of Ben Simmons. Avdija is the most polished European prospect I have seen since Luka Doncic.
Another common theme that has become evident in Avdija’s development is the fact that he seems to be continuously improving — he has looked better each time I have seen him. Whether it be an aspect of his game that he has mastered, a new skill that he has added, or visible improvements in his body, I believe it all to be a testament to his reputation of being such a hard worker. He also appears to be exceptionally mature and poised for a 19-year-old. I have spoken with many different intel sources and have been impressed with the positive feedback. Off-the-court he is a player that you would want as a part of your organization.