The Wizards general manager of the Washington Wizards spoke about the Israeli rookie season in the NBA: "He has a fighter's heart, his future is rosy" • About the draft pick: "Thank God the basketball god he was available. I fell in love with him through the team games"
Danny Abdia's rookie season in the NBA ended earlier than expected after an ankle injury sidelined him for a period of about three months, and now the summary stage has arrived.
Tommy Wizard, general manager of the Washington Wizards, is the man responsible for picking Abdia in ninth place in the draft.
Shepherd was a guest on the Wizards' official podcast for Israeli audiences - "Wizraeli" and talked about the Israeli's debut season in the best league in the world.
"He is a combination of so many players but the most important thing he has is a warrior's heart," Shepherd complimented Abdia and continued: "He is a fantastic, diverse player, keeps all positions. Scores, playmaker. He is also a great person and represents Israel excellently." .
On the role of Abdia in Washington, Shepherd said: "It's a matter of development, we're starting to put him more in the position of creators lately, it's a shame he's injured but there's nothing to do. "What he did at Maccabi Tel Aviv and we want to see him do it here as well - and it will happen."
Shepherd added: "The best way for a coach's heart is defense and Danny has it. What we have been missing most lately is Danny's defense. I have no doubt he was an assistant against Damar Druzen who celebrated in front of us."
A 'visual' podcast with general manager Tommy Shepherd and @ytalpaz in preparation: "Danny's future is tremendous. He had a lot of pressure on him. I think he beats the Lakers without blinking. He keeps 5 positions. He's a fighter. Bill was injured a lot. In the rookie season. I told Danny about it and said, 'Your future is rosy. Be' well sick 'and come back in 12 weeks. "
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- Washington Wizards (@washwizardsil) April 27, 2021
Regarding Abdia's future in the league: "I do not want to put pressure on him, but I will not be surprised if he becomes an All-Star player in the NBA. I also told Danny, his future is rosy even if the injury takes him a step back. He has the modesty to learn and he will benefit from it What is needed. "
Shepherd recounted the selection of Danny: "I've been following him since he was 15-16, I fell in love with his game through national team games. I noticed first thing in his name, I knew who Zofi was and that means there are good basketball gardens. We thank the basketball god Danny was there For us in ninth place because in our lists he was supposed to be chosen Top 4 ".
On the injury: "We were glad he did not need surgery, it is very important. Three months until he returns to play is a conservative assessment. Every two weeks we will do a reassessment and we will start to see where he is. It is not yet known about the summer league but we marked the first two weeks of August. "I do not know if we will include Danny immediately, even if everything will be fine for him. We will be conservative and we will not want to endanger him after a long period without a game."
On next season: "It will be a difference of heaven and earth to see him after standard preparation for the season with all the training camps in the summer and especially the full training camp in September." In addition, Shepard said that he is interested in having a preparatory game against Maccabi Tel Aviv before the season.
