Deni Avdija credits mental strength in bounce back performance amidst tough December

By Neil Dalal

Dec 30, 2023 | Jews in Sports

December has been a struggle for Deni Avdija and the then 5-25 Washington Wizards. Even though the team is not focusing on the win-loss record, but on development in the first year of the new front office’s multi-year rebuild, it can wear on a team when the losses are piling up. In the penultimate game of 2023, the Wizards were able to upset the Brooklyn Nets, 110-104, by winning the fourth quarter (26-18) in front of a passionate home crowd on Friday night. Avdija had his best game of the season with 21 points on 9-for-18 shooting including 3-for-5 from 3 (we won’t talk about his 0-for-4 shooting from the free throw line) to go along with 13 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal, and a block in 34 minutes of play where he was a net +13.

Deni Avdija goes behind the back into a no look dime 👀pic.twitter.com/nfAU91BgkG

— Neil Dalal (@NeilDalal96) December 30, 2023

“I thought Deni played a complete game,” head coach Wes Unseld Jr. told the media post-game. “Slow to start a little bit on the defensive end, picked up for sure. Offensively, his thrust and pace downhill with his catch and go, his cutting, pushing in transition. He was also just able to find and create action once we stagnated a little bit. He as well as Corey did a terrific job of doing that, which opened up the floor once again to get downhill and find the 3.”

Before Friday, Avdija’s game had taken a step back offensively and defensively as the Wizards continued to challenge him with difficult and wide-ranging matchups. In the first 12 December games, Avdija was averaging just 8.9 points on 41.3 / 19.2 / 78.8 percent shooting slash compared to 13.1 points on 54.9 / 38.6 / 82.8 shooting slash in 15 November games.

“Deni did a great job. Had a rough couple weeks, but he did a good job today obviously rebounding and really was a catalyst in that third quarter with the second unit,” franchise leader Kyle Kuzma assessed.

“I was choosing my spots today, I was aggressive,” Avdija described the source for his best all-around game of the season. “I was just trying to make the right play, I felt the ball was a lot in my hands today. But honestly, I was looking at the final goal is to win, even in the second half passing to the open guy, make sure everybody gets in rhythm. The ball was moving today and that’s what is the most important. I tried to be aggressive when I could, lost a little bit of rhythm in the second half but got it back when I needed to. Probably one of my most confident games, despite two games ago I had one of my worst games in my career. The maturity to bounce back is something that I really like to see. I never had it before so hopefully I’ll keep going.”

Deni Avdija with his best game of the season

21 points
13 rebounds
6 assists
1 steal
1 block
34 minutes (+13)pic.twitter.com/27PoPIn2rj

— Neil Dalal (@NeilDalal96) December 30, 2023

When the losses pile up in a rebuilding season, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and go through the motions while collecting a nice paycheck, but Avdija went in-depth on how he was able to mentally reset crediting those around him. Less than a week away from his 23rd birthday early in the new year, Avdija wants to keep things going in the right direction.

“Knowing what I’m worth. I know what I’m capable of, I know what I can bring to the team, and I never forget it. I work hard on my game and there are some nights the ball is not going to go in or I’m not going to be as good offensively, but I can impact the game in so many different ways and be there for my teammates on defense and rebound and that’s what I’m about to do. Some games I’ll be good, but I’m just trying to be consistent as much as I can.”

“At certain points, you feel like, ‘my shot, something happened’ or ‘I’m not scoring as much.’ I felt like I was dedicated, I felt like I was focused, I knew I needed to bounce back. My mental strength has been better. Keep going, keep working and I knew I would get out of it. Hopefully it’s going to continue.”

“The group of guys around me, the team believing in me. Sometimes you have to come back to your bread and butter and play simple for a game and then it gives you a confidence boost. Sometimes I won’t be perfect, nobody is perfect. There’s players all around the league having tough performances, but the better ones are the ones that come back better and strong so I feel like that’s what I’m doing.”

Avdija had many highlight plays against Brooklyn, but none prettier than a transition one-dribble pull-up 3-pointer fading slightly to the right to beat the halftime buzzer.

“It’s part my house, it’s part count it,” Avdija explained his celebration turning to the home crowd. “I had it going so I felt like it was going in and you have to show love to the fans a little bit.”