Deni Diary 12/26: Teaching Israeli Culture, One Song At A Time
Deni Diary 12/26: Teaching Israeli Culture, One Song At A Time
Plus: Highlights and takeaways from Deni's Debut
The Washington Wizards have seven foreign-born players — leading the NBA — which means that Deni Avdija does not have the hardest name to pronounce on the team. That ignominy falls to Latvian seven-footer Anžejs Pasečņiks (Ahn-zhays Pa-setch-neeks), who the team usefully refers to as “A.P.”
We know this because of a benign bit of rookie hazing. Last week, three days before the NBA season started, Deni was called on to serenade the fourth-year center with Happy Birthday when A.P. turned 25 last week. In a delightful scene posted on the Wizards’ Instagram, Deni croons out “HaYom Yom Huledet Le-A.P.” as his teammates clap and dance along.
Even the famously stone-faced Russell Westbrook was getting into it.
After practice the next day, I asked Deni if he was beginning to feel like an ambassador of Israeli culture. 100 percent, he said. But, he emphasized that what he’s shared so far barely scratches the surface.
At the time, Deni was on his way to a charity event, which he was dragged to by star teammate Russell Westbrook. Russ seems to have taken a liking to the 6-foot-9 Israeli and has been making a concerted effort to show Avdija and fellow rookie Cassius Winston the ropes. Coach Scott Brooks said that Avdija was hoping to get some extra shots up after practice. But Westbrook isn’t really the kind of guy you can say no to, so Deni did his scheduled media availability from the road.
Speaking of the road, Avdija says he’s working on getting his driver’s license out here. He sort of blanched when a reporter said to keep his hands at “10 and 2” on the steering wheel. But when I said “Hey, If you can drive in Israel, you can drive anywhere,” he grinned. “You’re damn right,” Deni said. “You’re damn right.”
If his NBA debut on Wednesday night was any indication, Deni might not need any more shooting practice. Against the Philadelphia 76ers — a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference — Deni swished both shots he took, a three-pointer from the corner and another one from the top of the arc. He finished with 7 points and 4 rebounds.
Those numbers may not jump off the page, so here’s another one — the Wizards outscored their opponent by 14 points in Deni’s 28 minutes on the floor. That +14 was a team-high, and stands out when the team lost by just 2. Maybe he needs more shots! But hey, I’m not the coach. (Or his teammates, who should probably get him the ball more.)
At least the first matter seems to be settled, which is that Avdija debuted alongside the starters. As Mike Prada said in our preview Q&A on Wednesday morning, he’s already one of the Wizards’ best players, and if what he showed in preseason is what he can do when the games count, Brooks will find a way to get him in the lineup.
His most impressive stretch on Wednesday came early in the third quarter with the teams separated by just a few points. The 76ers’ Joel Embiid, a 7-foot, 280-pound giant and arguably the best center in the NBA, got the ball in the post and faced up against Avdija. He took two dribbles toward the basket — but the rookie walled him off, forcing Embiid to pass. When the Wizards brought the ball up the floor on the ensuing possession, Deni spotted up behind the arc, caught a pass from Westbrook and drilled his second triple of the game — right in Embiid’s grill.
That was just the beginning of the sequence.
The next 76ers possession, Avdija cut off a dribble-drive by 6-foot-9 Tobias Harris, and came up with a steal a few seconds later. Without hesitation, the Israeli took off on a fast break, shoveled the ball underhand to a streaking Westbrook — who somehow missed an easy dunk! The 76ers sped ahead and missed a quick jump shot; this time, Avdija grabbed the rebound…which turned into another Wizards miss.
Here’s the best part. In transition, the Wizards defense didn’t have time to get set, forcing Avdija to guard more than one player. As Danny Green launched a three pointer, Avdija was at the free throw line, marking Ben Simmons — leaving Embiid open for an easy offensive rebound. But as the ball was bouncing on the rim, Avdija slid over to get underneath Embiid and box him out.
That’s where the ball went, and Avdija secured it and started another break. I can’t really express how hard it is to box out Joel Embiid, because I’ve never tried to keep a basketball from a hungry Goliath. But one thing I’ve noticed with Deni is this dude is not one of the rangy teenagers who fill out over their first few seasons in the league. Deni came in built like a cedar of Lebanon. He’s claiming territory from Joel Embiid in his first game.
There’s lots more to come from this kid. If you’ve enjoyed this, subscribe to the Deni Diary newsletter so you can be updated when new posts come out. And if you know someone else who would enjoy this, please forward it along!
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