Deni Avdija Full "UNGUARDABLE" 2019/20 Highlights ● should we draft him?!

[Draft2020]

What's your thoughts about this kid?
should we draft him?

Watch on YouTube

[TheSuzerain]

Shot 43% from the field and 27% from 3 and 55% from the line in Euroleague over 26 games.

He uhhhh...seems guardable.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

Shot 43% from the field and 27% from 3 and 55% from the line in Euroleague over 26 games.

He uhhhh...seems guardable.

I don't know anything about this kid or any of the other players, but this made me laugh. Thank you.

[dougthonus]

Deni moved up to #4 in ESPN's most recent mock. I don't have a strong opinion, because I've literally not seen any of these guys play except in youtube highlight videos and have just read up on strengths and weaknesses. My view is we should trade down / out of this draft if possible.

Don't know if there will be a trade available like this, but if I could move down 3-6 spots and pick up a 2021 top four protected (or something similar) 1st rounder, then I'd take that deal. Maybe if one of the top 3 (LaMelo, Edwards, Wiseman) fall then I might change my mind on that.

[MikeDC]

Shot 43% from the field and 27% from 3 and 55% from the line in Euroleague over 26 games.

He uhhhh...seems guardable.

This.

His body of work doesn't appeal to me, and very much gives me the impression of a guy who's a tweener in the bad sense of the word. He's not really big or strong enough to play the 4 and not quick or agile or skilled enough as a shooter to play the 3 against high level competition.

Thus, he looks really good in the Israeli league, because he's playing against much weaker competition. But in the Euroleague, he really can't do a whole lot.

It'd be a lot different if he seemed to have a much better shooting record. You could somewhat hide away those problems and make him useful if he was a really high level shooter, but his results up to this point are big-time red flags against him being that kind of guy.

I mean, could it happen? Sure. But I wouldn't bet on it, especially with other players who look like better bets on the board. So... nope. I look at him and see the next Mario Hezonja. That may not be fair to Hezonja, who had a better run in the Euroleague than Deni did IMO.

[CoreyVillains]

A couple of Deni scouting videos I’ve done. Strengths and weaknesses with commentary. I think Deni’s shot is going to be fine going forward. He’s a hard worker and it’s gotten better. Teams won’t leave him open. His biggest improvement area is his left handed dribble. Needs to get confident in using it because teams are going to take it away and push him left.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[dougthonus]

This.

His body of work doesn't appeal to me, and very much gives me the impression of a guy who's a tweener in the bad sense of the word. He's not really big or strong enough to play the 4 and not quick or agile or skilled enough as a shooter to play the 3 against high level competition.

Thus, he looks really good in the Israeli league, because he's playing against much weaker competition. But in the Euroleague, he really can't do a whole lot.

It'd be a lot different if he seemed to have a much better shooting record. You could somewhat hide away those problems and make him useful if he was a really high level shooter, but his results up to this point are big-time red flags against him being that kind of guy.

I mean, could it happen? Sure. But I wouldn't bet on it, especially with other players who look like better bets on the board. So... nope. I look at him and see the next Mario Hezonja

Generally agree with you here. Doncic was only around 30% from three in his final year in Europe, and that was my biggest red flag with him. He quickly became a dominant shooter in the NBA once he got the reps, but he had a good free throw percentage and good form.

Deni's quote on ESPN is:

Inconsistent shooter who has converted just 32% of 3-pointers and 58% of free throws over a large sample. Mechanics have been tweaked repeatedly to the point that you rarely see him shooting the same way, sometimes kicking his legs out excessively or looking stiff with his release.

He doesn't sound like a guy you'd feel quite so promising about improving his three point percentage.

Like any of these guys, he has a significant flaw and needs to improve on it in order to become a viable selection. If he is able to do that, then he could be really good, but LaMelo has basically the same flaws and might be a superstar if he improves. You look at a guy like Hayes and if he can tighten up his handle and improve his off hand same might be true there too.

Probably one of these guys makes all the necessary adjustments and becomes really good, but knowing which one is kind of a crapshoot.

I wouldn't hate Deni as a pick at #4 given the other players available have similar serious flaws or lack of upside to me (based on watching some videos and reading about them and not a real huge depth of analysis).

[wonderboy2]

I’m still open. I like Deni aggressiveness and confidence. I like his size and speed in the open court. But he has to be a shooter and a defender to be a good small forward. If bulls draft him I see him coming off the bench behind Porter. I think the best player available at 4 will be Toppin. Say what you will about his defense he was an unstoppable force in college scoring inside and outside. His ability to grab and go is very good for someone his size. He can put it on the ground well to and shot it 39% from 3. Toppin is probably my choice at 4 if the top 3 are gone.

[MrFortune3]

Deni is going to be a monster in the NBA. Need to get him the right developmental coaching staff to help him excel.
The Hornets are the one team that worries me in the top 3 in terms of potentially taking him.

My only worry about him from a transitioning standpoint is where he settles in playing. Is it the 3 or the 4.

Wiseman would fit the Hornets perfectly but I keep seeing Deni associated with them along with Ball as well.

[kodo]

Thus, he looks really good in the Israeli league, because he's playing against much weaker competition. But in the Euroleague, he really can't do a whole lot.

I've read this sentiment in other places as well. His big performances came lately, but that was against inferior competition to Euroleague.

Israeli premier league isn't a league I know much about, who are the best players from there? Omri Casspi? Dragan Bender?

[drosereturn]

Theres plenty of Deni suitors from Golden state to Clevland, Detroit. Bulls could offer Deni and Carter for Wiseman/Ball or trade down for Hali and a 2021 top lottery pick. Taking Deni for development is just not good value. Deandre Hunter feeling right there.

Best case would be Deni for number 5 plus protected 2021 (or Garland/2021 unprotected) or number 7 plus unprotected 2021.

Would trade everyone for top 2021 pick and push for playoffs 2022.

[MikeDC]

Thus, he looks really good in the Israeli league, because he's playing against much weaker competition. But in the Euroleague, he really can't do a whole lot.

I've read this sentiment in other places as well. His big performances came lately, but that was against inferior competition to Euroleague.

Israeli premier league isn't a league I know much about, who are the best players from there? Omri Casspi? Dragan Bender?

It seems to vary a little bit over the years, but basically yeah, those are the guys.

The best way to think of it is that the EuroLeague is the NBA equivalent and the when Maccabi plays in the Israeli league, they're playing their end of the bench guys quite a bit more and still winning handily. Probably it's closer to something like the G-League, and maybe not quite that good except that they've got grown men playing well-organized team ball.

[ChettheJet]

They should hire the video guy that made the highlight tape, otherwise show a video that takes what he needs to work on and maybe shows how far he is from looking like a Top 5 all time NBA player. Forming any kind of an opinion based on a highlight video is idiotic

[beeshma]

Just from watching a video, I am worried that Luka hype will make us forget 20 years of experience with "Euro Jordans."

He seems to have good straight line speed and high motor. Does that make him Tyrus Thomas equivalent?

[Chi town]

Does Deni have more PG potential than Coby?

[thedarkstark]

Pass on Niko 2.0

[kulaz3000]

Pass on Niko 2.0

Dude, c'mon - where is the common thread in style of play between those two players besides both being international white players?

[kulaz3000]

Does Deni have more PG potential than Coby?

I think Deni can be a play-maker, but I don't think he will ever have the ball in his hands as a primary play maker at any point in his career. And I don't think either should Coby quite frankly.

My answer, neither. We still have a glaring hole at point guard in my opinion.

[UcanUwill]

OP has no shame posting his own youtube video while creating same thread on most team boards and on draft board many times. Give it a rest.

[Susan]

Every euro mix uses Fort Minor as the song. What's up with that?