Just yesterday (Wednesday) Washington fans were disappointed to hear how Tyrese Halliburton slipped through their fingers, after Danny Avdia was preferred over him in the draft.
"The Wizards were a real option. At one point, I was convinced it was happening. That I was getting there," Indiana's point guard, who was selected with the 12th pick - three spots below Abadia, and became a star - told Adrian Wojnarowski's podcast.
"The truth is that I was already informed that Washington was choosing me, and then in one moment I realized that actually this is not happening."
Two and a half seasons have passed since then.
As you know, the Wizards eventually chose Avdia, after he "degraded" to the ninth pick against expectations.
Halliburton excelled in Sacramento, moved to Indiana and became a top point guard in the league, a position that Washington may lack the most.
The comparison between Avdia and Halliburton is not really fair, but at least tonight in the 97:100 victory over Chicago, the Israeli forward reminded Wizards fans how much potential lies in him.
He pulled down no less than 20 rebounds - 17 of them defensively - and of course set a personal record in the category, as he completely dominates under the baskets in the absence of the Wizards' two natural centers on the roster, Kristaps Porzingis and Daniel Gafford.
Avdia, who celebrated his 22nd birthday last week, became the second youngest player in Wizards history (since the merger of the leagues in 1976) to reach 20 or more rebounds in a game.
Above him on the list is a superstar in the form of Chris Weber, who did it in November 1994, at the age of 21. Avdia is also one of only three players under 2.06 meters to reach 20 rebounds this season in the NBA.
The previous ones were Luka Doncic and Perches Achiva.
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"I think Danny sent a message tonight for all of us - you can't work harder than us on the court," Washington coach Wes Anseld Jr. praised Avdia, who also added 9 points (3 of 6 from the field, 1 of 2 from three, 2 from -2 from the penalty), 3 assists and also 4 turnovers.
"It was purely a mental thing. It's not related to a method of play, or a defensive style. 20 rebounds that everyone wants. We have to make sure that in the next games we make more 'will' moves than the team in front of us."
Anthony Gill, the X-factor of the night who came off the bench and scored 18 points, actually praised Avdia's offensive ability, saying that "Danny did a great job of penetrating the basket and finding me for free throws."
Kyle Kuzma, who scored the winning three-pointer with 5.7 seconds left, joked when asked about Abadiah's rebound record: "Most of the rebounds were easy, without any struggle, but I still give him credit."
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Avdia (Photo: GettyImages, Michael Reaves)
Kuzma added: "It's a bit of an achievement, no doubt, but I'm really mad at him, because he finished with only 9 points, so it doesn't look good (Abadiah hasn't scored in double figures in the last three games). But 20 rebounds is huge, and we needed all One of them is tonight. In previous games we had trouble taking rebounds in our low formations, and today he cleaned the boards."
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