Deni Avdija

Shoe · Post #321 » by **Shoe** » Mon Nov 30, 2020 1:37 pm

Read on Twitter

Frichuela · Post #322 » by **Frichuela** » Mon Nov 30, 2020 2:16 pm

Shoe wrote:

Read on Twitter

Let’s hope his stellar progression continues. Easy to forget how much 18-19 year olds can improve in a 1-2 year span.

payitforward · Post #323 » by **payitforward** » Mon Nov 30, 2020 3:09 pm

Nice!

bsilver · Post #324 » by **bsilver** » Mon Nov 30, 2020 8:35 pm

Good Deni article in today's WP.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/11/30/deni-avdija-israeli-basketball-wizards/

Working real hard on 3 pt shooting and everything else.

prime1time · Post #325 » by **prime1time** » Wed Dec 9, 2020 11:16 pm

Read on Twitter

?s=20

Post #326 » by **nate33** » Thu Dec 10, 2020 6:16 pm

It really seems like Avdija has been getting a lot of praise for his shooting so far this preseason. And from what I've seen in videos, his shooting form looks good, with a quick, high release. If Avdija has already overcome his biggest weakness as a prospect, that really bodes well for his NBA career.

closg00 · Post #327 » by **closg00** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 5:11 pm

I wonder if Deni has a Security Detail? Having a high-profile Israeli sports figure in DC is too-tempting a target for terrorist wanting to get a high profile "win", they shouldn't be treating him like any other rookie, that's for sure.

Post #328 » by **nate33** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 5:33 pm

closg00 wrote:I wonder if Deni has a Security Detail? Having a high-profile Israeli sports figure in DC is too-tempting a target for terrorist wanting to get a high profile "win", they shouldn't be treating him like any other rookie, that's for sure.

I never heard it being an issue for Omri Casspi or David Blatt.

Also, Avdija's father is a Serbian Muslim. I wonder if that might impact whether he would be considered a high profile target for terrorists.

Kanyewest · Post #329 » by **Kanyewest** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 7:41 pm

Maybe Avidja is a secret agent working with the CIA and was assigned a station in Washington and his cover is a NBA player.

bsilver · Post #330 » by **bsilver** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 9:29 pm

closg00 wrote:I wonder if Deni has a Security Detail? Having a high-profile Israeli sports figure in DC is too-tempting a target for terrorist wanting to get a high profile "win", they shouldn't be treating him like any other rookie, that's for sure.

I'm sure he does, but that's just my assumption.

After the Israeli assassination of the Iranian nuclear scientist a few weeks ago, we can be sure than Iran is looking for a revenge target. And Israel and the US know that, so security has to be higher than usual. Iran has to be looking at high profile Israelis, and Deni is certainly that.

Security is probably easier because of covid-19. The players are exposed to far fewer people than normal, and that will be true for a while.

closg00 · Post #331 » by **closg00** » Fri Dec 11, 2020 9:45 pm

bsilver wrote:
closg00 wrote:I wonder if Deni has a Security Detail? Having a high-profile Israeli sports figure in DC is too-tempting a target for terrorist wanting to get a high profile "win", they shouldn't be treating him like any other rookie, that's for sure.

I'm sure he does, but that's just my assumption.

After the Israeli assassination of the Iranian nuclear scientist a few weeks ago, we can be sure than Iran is looking for a revenge target. And Israel and the US know that, so security has to be higher than usual. Iran has to be looking at high profile Israelis, and Deni is certainly that.

Security is probably easier because of covid-19. The players are exposed to far fewer people than normal, and that will be true for a while.

My thoughts exactly, you can sure that people from the embassy will come to support him at one of the games, so that will be a "security event"

payitforward · Post #332 » by **payitforward** » Sat Dec 12, 2020 12:19 am

Kanyewest wrote:Maybe Avidja is a secret agent working with the CIA and was assigned a station in Washington and his cover is a NBA player.

Nah, not enough cover. That would only work if he was, like, German or something... hmmmm. Or maybe he'd previously been uncover in Russia posing as a basketball player...

i think Lopez is legit, however. My understanding is you can only be one kind of "agent" -- either "free" or "secret" but not both.

doclinkin · Post #333 » by **doclinkin** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:27 am

Bumping this to give him proper appreciation for his debut. Wow DA. I was really impressed. Not only did he score, he moved the ball, he showed low post skills, mid range skills, long range accuracy, handle and savvy. I love how well he uses his body to protect the ball from defenders in traffic.

Granted on defense the Nets went off in the first half, but even so he was active and crisp in his rotations and maximized his time out there.

In training camp he looked deferential and anxious in talking to vets, but in live fire competition (or okay the preseason equivalent) he looked aggressive and poised. In the right place all the time, making quick decisive reads and staying on the attack.

In his debut he looks like that all-star glue guy I was imagining in another thread. What stat nerds always saw in Otto Porter's stats, except with actual aggressive action and not passivity. You don't get much more efficient than perfect.
100% FG%. Solid work Deni. Nice to see.

prime1time · Post #334 » by **prime1time** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:02 am

Rui called him a Bertans esque shooter. His shooting looks good but what stood out to me was the two floaters. The blow by of Prince was impressive and the end of the half floater was impressive. He’s one if the best 19 year old players I’ve ever seen. And that’s not just from today’s game but from watching his Macabi tape. If the shot falls, we will have a steal on our hands. Because going forward he’ll be able to build his game off of that knock down shot.

WallToWall · Post #335 » by **WallToWall** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:26 am

He has a little bit of Tony Kukoc in him.
Pleasantly surprised by how well he played in the first preseason game. I, for one, didn't have the slightest idea of what to expect from him when the Wizards drafted him. I see now that he is a bit ahead of most first round top 10 picks who come out of college.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

closg00 · Post #336 » by **closg00** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:19 pm

Washington Wizards launch Hebrew Twitter page for Avdija fans

https://www.timesofisrael.com/nbas-washington-wizards-launch-hebrew-twitter-page-for-fans-of-israels-avdija/

Post #337 » by **Rafael122** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:36 pm

He will be rookie of the year if he starts. Only other guy I see as his competition would be Edwards and it would be because he has the green light to shoot.

Shy Gorgeous-Al · Post #338 » by **Shy Gorgeous-Al** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:41 pm

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.

NatP4 · Post #339 » by **NatP4** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:49 pm

This is my takeaway. He will have his struggles, but the confidence, the basketball IQ, and the unselfishness were all on display. Very impressed. One specific 2-3 minute sequence just blew me away:

calls for ball screen, handles in pick and roll and makes a skip pass across court for a wide open 3

posts up and backs down defender and throws skip pass to corner for wide open 3

throws lob pass over the top to Rui, who was posting up smaller defender

He showed everything, the playmaking, the shooting, the defense, the basketball IQ, the rebounding. He was able to blow by a defender, showed nice touch on floaters.

Frichuela · Post #340 » by **Frichuela** » Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:55 pm

Shy Gorgeous-Al wrote: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.

Do you like this pick?