Deni Avdija

[doclinkin]

some nonsense

Okay cool you get to be my new fun project. This will be fun. I mean that's fine if you're seeing dicks in everything. To each their own. But not the point of the conversation. The point was relative to his draft position, would you select a Big who is defensively oriented, or would you take a multi-tool player who is skilled enough to play 4 positions? Initially I would have gone heavy on defense. However, his versatility and skill is remarkable and I would not have predicted he would have looked as comfortable out there as he has. Especially on defense.

The question was: has he caused us to reevaluate his relative worth? And I am saying, for me, yeah. As a Wiz fan I will tend to go all in on the guys in our uniform, so would look for whatever upside I can see in the cat. But. I didn't like him as a prospect during the draft process, and have had my eyes opened chiefly by how quickly he seems to be developing. Areas that had been flaws or question marks have become strengths. BBIQ is a talent. Work ethic and perception, That aspect he has in spades. The ability to adjust and improve is what makes talented players into superstars. He's got a good start.

As for the rest, if you need me to, yeah, I will follow you around and remind you at every turn the biggest dicxk in the contest is poking up from the collar of your shirt. Or it can be me, I can be the biggest if you want. We can bump the Insults thread and have fun. Stats and banter are both part of fandom of a team. it's part of why we are here. Friendly competition. Trying to moderate derails the conversation more than participating in it. Or dropping another topic in and moving on.

[Hibachi_0]

Westbrook might really mesh with the role players on the Wizards. While his tendency to force things can be a bad thing, it can take some of the pressure off other players to create.

Yes. He seems to be taking Deni under his wing in the practice footage I've seen. In yesterday's game Russ seemed comfortable sharing the ball and didn't force much. It was just one preseason game and I guess this kind of sharing will be reduced once the season starts. However he really seems to be having fun so maybe we see a change from previous seasons...

[dobrojim]

Ok, so far most of those candid enough to answer say they would have picked Okongwu over Avdija had both been on the board. In fact, so far I'm the only one who is saying straight out that I'd have taken Deni over Okongwu.

In fact, of the first 8 picks, there are only 2 guys I'd have taken over Deni: Wiseman & Ball.

Like most here, I'm loving what I'm seeing from Deni. But I still would have drafted Okongwu over him...maybe even Isaac Okoro.

Wiseman would have probably been my top choice but we knew he wouldn't be there at 9.

I don't spend the time and effort many others here do to have an informed opinion about
who I might have taken or preferred. That said, I have to say what I have seen from Deni
has me feeling pretty hopeful about what he might be able to contribute. What I was asking
myself last night while watching the final preseason game was how many teams are going
to be kicking themselves for passing on this kid by the end of the year? Of course that's
72 games away so we will have to wait and see.

[queridiculo]

So far from what I have seen and based on what my perception of him was heading into the draft:

decision making ++
athleticism +
shooting o
ball handling o
passing o
defense +
rebounding +

I have **** all over the selection following the draft, but so far I am not seeing anything from the kid that's not to like.

Shooting and ball handling are the only issues that stand out to me at the moment, but even my negative perception of his shooting has changed given how much smoother his mechanics look now.

He might have the prettiest stroke on the roster right after Bradley Beal himself.

He's got great anticipation on defense and even when he does get beat of the dribble he does not give up and manages stay in the play.

What stood out to me the most is his decision making, and it's part of the reason why I'd have no problem with Brooks pulling the trigger on him being the start on opening night.

Small sample size, but so far from what I have seen when he gets the ball on offense he typically makes the right play, either for himself or somebody else.

[Shoe]

Read on Twitter

[tontoz]

Contesting shots effectively without fouling is really hard and typically takes a long time to learn. I was surprised to see him doing this in a preseason game.

[Frichuela]

Contesting shots effectively without fouling is really hard and typically takes a long time to learn. I was surprised to see him doing this in a preseason game.

Sorry to repeat myself but this is something those of us who had watched him play in Europe already knew (both club and sub20 international play).

He has great basketball IQ and instincts, both defensively and offensively. He has also great size for a SF, 6’ 9” without shoes and it looks his wingspan is a bit bigger than what some feared (probably around 6’10” or 6’11”).

He certainly has to improve his shooting (free throws especially) and ball handling/going to the left. But as a 19 year old, we should be all very excited! Best prospect the Wiz have had since Beal. IMO- better than Otto Porter was at his age.

[nate33]

Doc posted a video a while back with the Wizards assistant coaches discussing several of the drills they incorporate into their practices. One of the things they emphasized was playing positional defense with the arms out wide and up. You can't keep your arms low and near the offensive player because NBA players seek out arm contact to draw fouls.

Avdija executes the technique perfectly in these clips. The kid is obviously a quick learner.

[TGW]

There was another play where he funneled Grant into Bryant, but at an angle where Bryant could put his body in between Grant and the basket and contest the shot (it was a miss). It was textbook.

He has good basketball IQ. Once his skills catch up to his instincts, he'll be a very good player.

[bsilver]

My pick at #9 was Achiuwa.
But didn't expect OO or Avdija to be available. Would have gone with Avdija between those two. The only player that excited me was Wiseman. No one else seemed like a sure thing.

[queridiculo]

Contesting shots effectively without fouling is really hard and typically takes a long time to learn. I was surprised to see him doing this in a preseason game.

One of the toughest things as a defender are multiple efforts.

To see him read and react to make the right play twice, in one of the videos posted above, is quite impressive.

[payitforward]

No. It's discussing the relative value of Deni as measured against contemporary draftees.
It's not comparing apples to handguns.

it's really just d*** measuring between you and PIF....

Nat, honestly, that's silly. Doc & I have known each other for many many years -- starting I think in 2007 -- both here & on a previous forum.

We josh each other mercilessly, but we are *very* fond of one another -- & I wouldn't write that if I wasn't confident that doc feels the same way (which means, no doubt, that he'll come in here & deny it!! As I would do if he gave me the same opportunity...).

...Deni just played an average of 30 minutes per game in 3 preseason games

per 36: 12.4 points 7.2 rebounds 2.8 assists 2 steals 2 turnovers on 60% shooting. 63% on 2s, 50% on 3s.

with Maccabi
per36: 10.2 points 6.6 rebounds 2.9 assists 1.0 steals 1.8 turnovers 43% shooting 60% on 2s, 27.7% on 3s.

let's talk about that!

Of course! I'm sure we'll talk endlessly about Deni. I had to miss yesterday's game, but it's on my DVR, & I'll watch it this afternoon.

Meanwhile, I was curious to know who would've taken Okongwu & who Deni -- had they both fallen to us. That's as far as it goes. & it's certainly not as interesting a subject as Deni himself.

[dckingsfan]

Man, Deni vs. Okongwu would have been really tough. I liked Deni early (posts to prove it ) but I am much more of a Euro hoops fan that college hoops fan - so I usually can't make a good comparison.

I think I would have leaned toward Okongwu given our roster. I would have then figured out how to package up Robinson, Ish and Wagner (and would have made it happen because ) for a starting SF.

Or if I had taken Deni, I would have wanted to grab Nerlens Noel under a two year contract (matching Bryant's).

Final answer - Deni + Nerlens.

[Shy Gorgeous-Al]

Doc posted a video a while back with the Wizards assistant coaches discussing several of the drills they incorporate into their practices. One of the things they emphasized was playing positional defense with the arms out wide and up. You can't keep your arms low and near the offensive player because NBA players seek out arm contact to draw fouls.

Avdija executes the technique perfectly in these clips. The kid is obviously a quick learner.

That's not on the coaches in Deni's case. That's how he has defended for a long time.. always hands up.

[Ruzious]

Man, Deni vs. Okongwu would have been really tough. I liked Deni early (posts to prove it ) but I am much more of a Euro hoops fan that college hoops fan - so I usually can't make a good comparison.

I think I would have leaned toward Okongwu given our roster. I would have then figured out how to package up Robinson, Ish and Wagner (and would have made it happen because ) for a starting SF.

Or if I had taken Deni, I would have wanted to grab Nerlens Noel under a two year contract (matching Bryant's).

Final answer - Deni + Nerlens.

I think that's the best answer - and better than the answer I'm about to give.

Going up to the draft, I assumed Deni wouldn't be there - much like several years ago, i never thought Noel would be there when we picked Otto. I would have drafted Okongwu over Deni, because I thought he was a MUCH better fit. Now that Okongwu has a foot injury - even if it's not very serious - that worries me about him, because foot injuries have been big problems for a lot of bigs. Still, I'd have preferred Okongwu. But Noel's just on a 1 year deal. We can still get him next year. Tommy, are you listening?

[Shy Gorgeous-Al]

Also, Deni will surprise you with his ability to defend in the post. He has a much stronger core than you realize and he is very smart with his defense. He will anticipate what the player is going to do as a counter move and beat him to the spot while keeping his hands up to bother the shot -- like you see in the clip defending grant.

Another thing, i'd like to see him be a threat as a PnR BH; because his ball handling or explosive first step may not be there yet, though his 2nd and 3rd step are really long and powerful, so if he can get that 1st step and advantage over his defender using a screen and get inside the paint, he is a huge threat to finish or collapse the defense for a pass.

[dckingsfan]

Man, Deni vs. Okongwu would have been really tough. I liked Deni early (posts to prove it ) but I am much more of a Euro hoops fan that college hoops fan - so I usually can't make a good comparison.

I think I would have leaned toward Okongwu given our roster. I would have then figured out how to package up Robinson, Ish and Wagner (and would have made it happen because ) for a starting SF.

Or if I had taken Deni, I would have wanted to grab Nerlens Noel under a two year contract (matching Bryant's).

Final answer - Deni + Nerlens.

I think that's the best answer - and better than the answer I'm about to give.

Going up to the draft, I assumed Deni wouldn't be there - much like several years ago, i never thought Noel would be there when we picked Otto. I would have drafted Okongwu over Deni, because I thought he was a MUCH better fit. Now that Okongwu has a foot injury - even if it's not very serious - that worries me about him, because foot injuries have been big problems for a lot of bigs. Still, I'd have preferred Okongwu. But Noel's just on a 1 year deal. We can still get him next year. Tommy, are you listening?

And who would have been your SF FA to go along with Okongwu?

(and I would have given a Noel 2 years at 5 (or 6)) to get him to sign with us over the Knicks. I do like the Robinson/Noel C position. It is a nice anchor for the year.

[Ruzious]

Man, Deni vs. Okongwu would have been really tough. I liked Deni early (posts to prove it ) but I am much more of a Euro hoops fan that college hoops fan - so I usually can't make a good comparison.

I think I would have leaned toward Okongwu given our roster. I would have then figured out how to package up Robinson, Ish and Wagner (and would have made it happen because ) for a starting SF.

Or if I had taken Deni, I would have wanted to grab Nerlens Noel under a two year contract (matching Bryant's).

Final answer - Deni + Nerlens.

I think that's the best answer - and better than the answer I'm about to give.

Going up to the draft, I assumed Deni wouldn't be there - much like several years ago, i never thought Noel would be there when we picked Otto. I would have drafted Okongwu over Deni, because I thought he was a MUCH better fit. Now that Okongwu has a foot injury - even if it's not very serious - that worries me about him, because foot injuries have been big problems for a lot of bigs. Still, I'd have preferred Okongwu. But Noel's just on a 1 year deal. We can still get him next year. Tommy, are you listening?

And who would have been your SF FA to go along with Okongwu?

(and I would have given a Noel 2 years at 5 (or 6)) to get him to sign with us over the Knicks. I do like the Robinson/Noel C position. It is a nice anchor for the year.

I'd go with another NYK free agent signing - Alec Burks - I think he's very underrated - like Noel.

[NatP4]

Brooks sort of leaked that Deni will be starting in his media availability today. He was talking about the importance of leadership and said “we could have 19, 21 and 23 years old starting in our frontcourt once Rui is back so leadership is big”

[J-Ves]

Brooks sort of leaked that Deni will be starting in his media availability today. He was talking about the importance of leadership and said “we could have 19, 21 and 23 years old starting in our frontcourt once Rui is back so leadership is big”

Also sounds like Bonga or Brown won't be in the starting lineup since they are also 21 and we wouldn't have to wait for Rui to return for for his comment be true. So chances are the starters are: Westbrook, Beal, Deni, Bertans, Bryant.