Abdia: "Westbrook told me 'I'll kill you if you do not play like that in every game'"
The Lakers coordinator shared an exciting moment with the Israeli who scored 17 in Washington's victory, including a big three: "I was excited when the hall went wild."
His coach praised the progress: "This is who Danny should be. Compared to last season, he is a different player"
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20/03/2022
Sunday, 20 March 2022, 08:55
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Danny Abdia after the win over the Lakers (Wizards' Twitter account)
Stability is not exactly Danny Abdia's share of his short NBA career in general, and this season in particular.
But in games where Abdia manages to express the ability that made him so high in the draft, everyone who watches and is around understands the magnitude of the Israeli forward's potential.
Tonight (Saturday through Sunday) he was one of the top scorers in Washington's 119-112 victory over LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers, with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists that helped the Wizards break a six-game losing streak.
Abdia was very active from the moment he came off the bench in the first quarter, played aggressively that allowed him to reach the penalty line six times (and be accurate from there on all shots) and excelled his teammates with fine dedication, with the highlight coming in a three-pointer with a minute left to end the game.
More on Walla!
17 for Danny Abdia in a 119: 127 win over the Lakers, LeBron climbed to second place in all-time scoring
To the full article
A great performance and an important victory.
Abdia with Forzingis and Storansky (Photo: GettyImages, Patrick Smith)
"I was a little excited when the hall went wild," Abdia said at the news conference after the game.
"I wanted to score those big shots and I missed badly. It happens, but I know that when the game is on the line and you have to be cool, take deep breaths. I believe in my shooting. I always knew how to score. Sometimes it's bad and sometimes better. I just believe in my game. ".
The Israeli added about the victory: "It was great to play tonight. We shared the ball, we were there for each other with coverings and assists in defense. I really enjoyed and that's how we should play every night - not just because we won. I think we fought and made great moves."
Coach Wes Ansald Jr., who is missing injured Kyle Kozma, gave Abdia 32 minutes - more than any player in Washington other than Cantabius Caldwell Pop.
Enseld Jr. knew how to criticize Abdia after less good games in the past, and this time took the opportunity to praise him: "This is who Danny should be. Play with power, attack the basket when there are opportunities, keep the ball, finish in color. He scored the big three. "Late in the game with composure. All these are steps forward for him. To see where he was at the beginning of the season, last season from what I heard and saw - he is a different player."
Earned the compliments.
Abdia Keeps LeBron (Photo: GettyImages, Patrick Smith)
Whoever returned tonight to the hall of his previous team is Lakers coordinator Russell Westbrook, who was received with great love by the local crowd even though he spent only one season in Washington out of 14 in his career.
Westbrook served as a mentor to many young players at the Wizards last season, and has greatly influenced Danny Abdia.
At the end of the game the two provided an exciting moment that illustrated the depth of the connection between them: Westbrook and Abdia talked and hugged for long seconds, then exchanged jerseys.
When asked about those moments after the game, Abdia told "NBC": "This is one of the biggest competitors I have been around. At the end of the game he approached me and said 'Hey Danny, I'm going to kill you if you do not play like that in every game. I know why you "He was really a great mentor to me in my first year and I definitely learned a lot from him."
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Danny Abdia
Washington Wizards