After 60 games this season in the NBA, Danny Avdia already confidently says in an interview with Israel Hayom: "This is definitely my best season in the league."
The improvement of the Israeli who plays for the Washington Wizards can also be seen in the statistics, but mainly in his body language and confidence on the floor.
Just before he and the team enter the decisive moments of the season in the United States, he talks in an exclusive interview about his improvement while on the move, about the respect he receives in the locker room, and also about the Israeli national team and the option of the foreign coach on the table.
Danny Avdia.
His best season, photo: AP
Will we see you and Washington in the playoffs this season?
"I believe we can reach the playoffs, we will have to go through the play-in, which will not be easy. The loss to Chicago is not the end of the world because there are 22 more games. We need to play well, I believe in us, we have already proven this season that we can create a streak of victories. We need Not to get under pressure and play the way we know how."
Personally, are you approaching your ceiling?
"This is definitely my best season in the NBA. I feel I've matured, I recover better from bad games, I prepare myself better for games and I'm more aggressive. I still have a lot of room to improve, but I'm happy with the progress I've made."
"I feel that I am far from my ceiling, both in terms of ability and in terms of confidence. I am happy that I am on my way there, I do see progress."
I heard you say that they give you more respect this season in the locker room.
"They give me more respect, they listen to me more both in defense and attack. When you're a rookie it's different, you didn't listen so much to what I had to say. I feel that I currently have more power in the squad, my opinion is taken into account and it's fun."
Danny Avdia and Daniel Gafford in the loss to Chicago.
Not the end of the world, photo: AP
In a league where numbers are very important, and players force shots, have you ever felt that you too are drawn to this style?
"I never really force or try to save the homeland. I always try to make the right move, maybe I should be more aggressive. That's my style of play, share the ball and create for other players. When I do that I feel I create good momentum in the group".
"As for other players who force shots, that's the league. There is a clear hierarchy in the NBA, I try to be solid and aggressive, not to go into those corners of forcing."
Danny Avdia.
Trying not to force anything, photo: AP
After being part of the disappointing EuroBasket of the Israeli national team in the summer, although he showed good ability individually, Avdia saw his teammates in the national uniform play this week in the qualifiers for the World Championship.
Is it strange to see the team from the sidelines?
"It's not strange, it's fun to see it from the sidelines. It's strange that you're not there, but I was happy to see Noam Yaakov, who plays excellently. It's fun to see that we have a future."
Can he make it to the NBA?
"I never rule out the option of any player to go far or to the NBA. He needs to work hard and go through the process, he is very talented. I wish him to reach the best league in the world, that he continues like this and works hard. He has a great future."
What do you think about a foreign coach in the Israeli national team? We know there were contacts with Pablo Lasso.
I don't really know the coaches who are nominated and their style of play.
In my opinion, the most important thing is for the coach to be connected to the players and for them to want to play under him.
Let there be equality and hierarchy, let the players be happy."
Would you like to play under Ariel Beit HaLehmi again?
I took two European championships with him, obviously there is a connection with him that is different.
I've been through better and worse things with him, I love him very much.
He is a coach whose method I really like.
I have some kind of side that really wants him, the main thing is that it's good for the team."
Danny Avdia in the national team uniform.
He would have been happy to see Ariel Beit HaLachemi coach, photo: Reuters
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