Two left for the Wiz, who could still end up with the NBA’s worst record based on whatever Detroit does in their final three – but within this lost season, Deni Avdija has become a guy.
Grant & Danny talked about it on Wednesday, and Thursday, Wizards play-by-play voice Dave Johnson confirmed it for them during the Beltway Blitz.
“He’s just been terrific all season, the most consistent player for the Wizards. By giving him a four-year contract extension before the season, it was just clearing his mind. He didn't have anything to worry about, just go play ball and show us what you do, and you know what? He is showing what he can do,” Johnson said. “As Chris Wright mentions, he has ability to play in transition, and we've always talked about his high basketball IQ from his rookie season, he showed he could defend four positions. And what's exciting is I don't think we’ve hit the ceiling yet. His progression has been month to month, game to game, and it's exciting. You have to hit on your draft picks, not only going forward, but you also want ones you've already selected to succeed, thrive and develop.”
As Avdija has developed, so, too, has Jordan Poole, who has turned it on since going to the bench.
“He was upset but not like pouting or showing it in his production; he wanted to start, everyone wants to be a starter in this league, but you can't just play with players on paper. It’s gotta be how they fit on the court, and obviously it wasn't fitting,” Johnson said. “We needed Tyus Jones, who has proven he is an elite NBA point guard – no that’s not too strong a statement – but Jordan Poole likes to have the ball in his hands, but there's only one basketball out there, and it proved to be effective. It was about making sure they’re putting players in the best position to have success, to feel good about themselves so they can go into the off season saying, yeah, I've got something to build on. Poole knew he was having a tough year, to put it mildly, but coach Brian Keith said he's one of the hardest working players he's ever been around, and now he’s in a better place and he's having success.”
With two games left, the record is what it is, but the best thing the Wiz can do is build guys up for the future.
“You want the Jordan Pooles of the world to go into the off-season saying I've got something to build on here; for Avdija, it's about finishing strong; and then, there's a collection of players that are getting opportunities here. That's what this team is all about,” Johnson said. “That’s why this team stunned Minnesota the other night in Minnesota was 44 points in the first quarter; no matter the circumstance, this group fights, and they're gonna play until the final buzzer.”