Getting Deni Avdija Going with the Blazers
Deni Avdija’s start with the Portland Trail Blazers has been a bit rocky. The wait for The Deni Game continues after another quiet night for Avdija in a 111-98 loss to the Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Avdija’s has shown flashes but has a tough time finding anything that would resemble a groove, shooting just 11 for 38 overall and a rough 1 of 15 from three-point land in the first four games. But let’s not hit the panic button just yet—there’s definitely some untapped potential here that the Blazers can work with.
What’s the Game Plan for Deni?
Avdija’s got some serious playmaking chops and a knack for making those smart, connective passes. Even though his shooting hasn’t been on point, he’s been solid on defense, always hustling and staying in the mix. The trick for the Blazers is figuring out how to get the most out of him on offense. One idea? Let him handle the ball more, especially when he’s out there with shooters like Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant in the starting unit. That setup could really play to his strengths, letting him dish out those slick passes and find his rhythm.
It’s unavoidable to some extent, but it might be helpful to mostly stagger Avdija’s minutes with Scoot Henderson. Both guys need the ball to do their thing, so giving them separate stretches to shine could be a win-win. This way, they can both play to their strengths without stepping on each other’s toes.
In any case, patience is key. We’re four games into the season. The Deni Game will arrive at some point. But the Blazers have options to speed up that ETA if they get creative.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Blazers’ loss to the Kings, tune into the Locked On Blazers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Blazers Podcast:
- A gross first half in Sacramento
- Scoot Henderson’s verve
- The realities of an imperfect roster
