This Sunday, the Wizards go to Los Angeles, to challenge the Lakers, and this meeting will give the opportunity to Deni Avdija to receive some valuable advice from his former teammate Russell Westbrookwho continues to be his main mentor, although they are now adversaries.
The “idyll” between the two men has lasted since the 2020/21 season, which is none other than the Israeli’s first in the NBA.
” He really took care of me “, he says precisely, for The Athletic. ” He cared about my success and he wanted me to be mentally strong. Now every time he sees me he gives me advice after the game or tells me what I need to do better, and I love that. It still has an effect on me, because he was the first veteran I met when I came to the league. »
At the time, the transition between Europe (Tel Aviv) and America (Washington) was not the easiest and most usual for Deni Avdija, because the shadow of Covid-19 still hung severely over the world and the rookies had not been able to take their marks like the others. Notably because the 2020 Draft took place in November, with a season that started in December.
As a good veteran, and despite his late arrival at the Wizards, from Houston, Russell Westbrook therefore tried to help the then 19-year-old player to acclimatize as well as possible to this new country and this new league. , for a specific reason…
” He’s a special kid “, delivers the MVP 2017. “ Sure, he was already playing at a professional level before we drafted him, but you could see his potential. Since I’ve been in the league, as soon as I see someone’s potential, I want to try to help them as best I can and I know how to do it. He’s a good guy. »
Tender but hard at the same time
In addition to rookie Deni Avdija, Russell Westbrook had also taken under his wing another nugget from Washington, during his only year spent in the capital. Namely Rui Hachimura, the 9th choice of the 2019 Draft.
An ability to transmit and support young people which greatly helped and facilitated the work of the coaching-staff of the Wizards.
” [Russell Westbrook] is obviously one of the best leaders I have ever seen or been around, he keeps everyone at a high level “, judge for example Ryan Richman, assistant to DC “ He was amazing with Deni [Avdija]Rui [Hachimura] and those kind of players. […] He could be their biggest critic, but also their biggest fan. He did a great job of knowing when to teach them things and knowing when they were having a hard time and then being tough on them and holding them to account. »
Because make no mistake: behind the broad smile of model teammate Russell Westbrook is actually someone stern, capable of reframing and putting anyone face to face with their responsibilities, if necessary.
” As soon as Deni [Avdija] needed softness and firmness, [Russell Westbrook] took care of it, because Deni can be someone who is not fully focused all the time “says, for example, Anthony Gill. ” In those moments, Russell would try to quickly put it back in place. But right after, he became his best friend again. Based on: ‘Let’s go eat together or do something else’. That’s the kind of player he was, it was a different kind of relationship. He was definitely on his back all season. »
Leave a trace by transmission
For a good cause, Russell Westbrook was therefore led to play the “bogeyman” with Deni Avdija, who however never held it against him.
” I’m glad I had a mentor who was tough on me in my freshman year. “, confides the 9th choice of the Draft 2020. “ It made me realize a lot of things, it made me mentally stronger and it kept me ready, ready for every game of the season. That’s why I love it. »
The influence of Russell Westbrook on Deni Avdija seems to have its effect and this risks fulfilling him to the highest degree, because it is one of those things that animates him permanently.
” My goal in life is to always have an influence on someone, every day, in a positive way. “Admits the All-Star point guard. ” Today, he obviously has my number, we exchange and communicate, to be sure that he continues to do the things that he is able to do and that I know he is able to do. I can see him. So I hope I had a good influence on him and that he will do the same with someone else. »
In the meantime, Russell Westbrook will once again be able to measure all the progress of his little protege Deni Avdija this weekend, during a Lakers / Wizards which will be worth its weight in gold…
| Deni Avdija | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2020-21 | WAS | 54 | 23 | 41.7 | 31.5 | 64.4 | 0.4 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 6.3 |
| 2021-22 | WAS | 82 | 24 | 43.2 | 31.7 | 75.7 | 0.6 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 8.4 |
| 2022-23 | WAS | 29 | 26 | 41.4 | 27.9 | 75.0 | 0.9 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 7.8 |
| Total | 165 | 24 | 42.4 | 31.0 | 73.3 | 0.6 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 7.6 | |
