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Abdia reveals how he became a "defensive stopper", declaring: "I'm worth more than that"
After another impressive save display, the Washington coach compliments the Israeli, who talks about the overtime he invests to specialize in the field but promises: "I am also a very good attacking player."
The victory over Utah was also celebrated by Bill in a movement that became his trademark
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Danny Abdia
Washington Wizards
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Sunday, 19 December 2021, 08:39
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Stephen Kerry celebrates the Golden State Warriors locker room breaking the threesome record (Golden State official website)
Danny Abdia continues the trend of improvement, and finally the team results also align: Washington defeated Utah 103: 109 tonight (Saturday to Sunday) in another good game by the Israeli forward, who hopes that the team will now embark on a new path after a disappointing period and full of losses.
Abdia has excelled in defense since the start of the season, but in recent games he seems to be showing up in the offensive section as well, and the numbers speak for themselves: tonight he scored 11 points (along with 7 rebounds) and reached for the first time in his NBA career three consecutive double-digit double points. Overall, Abdia has averaged 13.3 points, 66.7 percent from the field, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals in the last three games.
His minutes of play are also starting to rise accordingly.
Even before the game, Washington Wes Ansled Jr. was asked about the possibility that Abdia would get more minutes, saying "it is quite possible he will play more. We see his improvement and progress every week, every month."
Indeed, Abdia received 30 minutes tonight, a season-high, and continued to display good ability on both sides of the court.
More on Walla!
103: 109 big for Washington in Utah, 11 points and a record for minutes for Danny Abdia
To the full article
Earns his minutes.
Abdia vs. Donovan Mitchell (Photo: Reuters)
"His energies helped us."
Abdia vs. Gover (Photo: GettyImages, Chris Gardner)
On defense, he shared the minutes guarding two of the Jazz’s standout guards, Donovan Mitchell and Jordan Clarkson. The first to finish the game with 32 points, did not score in his direct moves against Abdia, who even forced a kidnapping on him at an important moment in the last quarter.
"Danny has proven he can be a defensive stopper some of the time. It will keep him on the floor. He just knows how to play the game," Ansald Jr. said at the conclusion. Cantabius Caldwell Pop also complimented Abdia, saying "he gave us a lot of energy that night, and that's exactly what we needed."
At halftime, Abdia was interviewed by local television station NBC and said that "I hope at the end of the game I can make the 'X' movement," the movement that became his trademark after he stopped players on defense. Indeed, a few seconds to the end, after the victory had already been promised, Bill was seen signaling the movement towards Abdia, who said at the end: "Obviously it was aimed at me, but at whom?".
Abdia says this marking was born after consulting with players in the locker room.
"The defense stood out from the start of the season and there was a team joke in the locker room that I said I needed to find something in case I kept someone good several times in a row, that there would be something funny, that I would have some sort of hallmark," he said.
"I talked to the players in the locker room and we found together the coolest sign, and since then it's just been born. I did it for the first time against Yannis Antokompo, and then it just caught on."
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Abdia also reveals that he invests a lot of time and energy in defense, especially in learning and scouting the players of the opposing teams. "The coaches do a great job of getting to know the players, and I also have a personal trainer who edits for me more videos that prepare me how to attack and how to defend against the team I play against. In addition to what the team does, I have a personal trainer I also see extra personal videos of players coaching "Maybe less in-depth in them, and dealing with what habits they do more or less well. I spend a lot of time learning the players I play against."
At the same time, Abdia feels that "in the offensive part I still know I can do so much more, I can be much more aggressive, I can go left, I can be more creative, but right now it's my job, and right now I'm doing what's most Good for the team. Right now my bread and butter is the defense, and I believe the offense will improve over time. I believe in my abilities, I believe I am a very good attacking player, growing up, constantly learning, having mentors who always help to be more confident, over time "The defense will give me an offensive boost. I keep working hard, keep throwing a lot, and try not to think too much."
"Danny can become Ben Simmons with a shot"
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The local media are also complimenting Abdia, and NBC noted this morning: "Abdia's defense is good all season, he's one of the Wizards' bright spots on this side of the field. But recently his offense also seems to be starting to fill the gaps. "He has improved the shooting. There are not many bright spots in the Wizards in recent weeks, but the constant development of Abdia is one of them."
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