I’ve written a lot in this space about Deni Avdija’s development in the early part of the season. From his rocky first 10 games to his improved, steady in the few weeks that followed his debut.
A lot of it is on court success, he shot 18.8% from three through the first ten games of the season. It’s hard to look like a good basketball player when you’re laying bricks. Even with some solid playmaking and competent defense, Deni was struggling to score and it was clear.
But he’s been better recently, making 23 of his last 52 three-points (44.2%) over his last 12 games.
The on court product has been better. But that started with off court adjustments. I talked with Avdija earlier this week and he told me that his comfort in a new city with new co-workers has really increased. He’s settled into his house in the Portland area, he’s more familiar with the day to day rhythms of living in the Northwest and his play has reflected. Feeling at home, as a person and not just a basketball player, has lead to much stronger performances on the court.
Chauncey Billips echoed a similar approach when I asked him about Avdija’s adjustment, saying some that some of Avdija’s improved play could be traced back to personal conversations between the player and coach where they simply got to know each other better.
Sometimes basketball is simple. When you’re more at home in your surroundings, you play like it. For Deni, his improved play is as much about his comfort off the court as it has been about making shots when he’s on the court.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Blazers’ strategies and player performances, tune into the Locked On Blazers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Blazers Podcast:
- A rough night in Inglewood
- The impact of the NBA Cup on regular-season games
- Upcoming games and what to expect from the Blazers
