Until his trade to the Boston Celtics and despite his questionable fit for the role, Anfernee Simons was the de facto team leader of the Portland Trail Blazers. Not even the arrival of prized draft pick Scoot Henderson could oust him from this position, as Simons started every game in which he and Henderson were available.
As the season wound down, however, a new candidate emerged to wrest the mantle from Simons as team leader. Simons was shut down following his game on March 30, and Deni Avdija stepped in for three more games, averaging 31.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and seven assists with 50/33/85 shooting splits in 36 minutes per game.
Deni Avdija's Eurobasket play proves he's Portland's No. 1 option
This summer, Eurobasket is currently unfolding; however, many NBA players are choosing to play on their country’s squad, which is, in turn, stoking interest in the States and being marketed much more heavily. Avdija is the sole Blazer participating, with Toumani Camara and Rayan Rupert opting to sit instead of play for Team Belgium and Team France, respectively.
As more international players enter the NBA, more NBA players join Eurobasket rosters. Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Alperen Sengun are participating this year, among many others—the event’s profile has risen significantly in recent years. Higher-profile events turn the lights on a little brighter, and Avdija is stepping up to the plate.
As of the time of writing, Avdija is averaging 24.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and three assists with 50/32/74 shooting splits across 33 minutes per game. Though a handful of the numbers dipped from his final three unencumbered Blazers outings, it should be noted that Euroleague ball is played across four 10-minute quarters and at a much slower and more deliberate pace than NBA hoops. For context, Jokic ranks outside the top-10 in assists across this year’s Eurobasket tournament.
While the NBA is trending towards positionless basketball, Euroleague hoops feature a much more defined and rigid positional structure. Deni—whose nickname is Turbo—thrives in transition and makes some incredible reads in tight windows, which is a boon to his assist numbers; in Eurobasket play, he does not have that luxury most times.
Avdija’s play has led Israel to a 3-2 record thus far, with a decisive win over Team France, whose squad features Zaccharie Risacher, Guerschon Yabusele and Bilal Coulibaly, along with former NBA players Timothe Luwawu-Cabbarot and former Blazer Jaylen Hoard.
Deni has been a juggernaut in these rounds, integrating his NBA style as far as the coaching squad will let him and imposing his will on more inexperienced players. He’s currently fourth in points per game, tied for sixth in steals per game and tied for third in blocks per game.
Israel’s next game is against Giannis and Team Greece on September 7.