Danny Avdija knows very well that he has changed his status

We can no longer stop the Blazers, who won their fifth game in a row last night. It is the best current series, and it is headed by a Danny Avdia in All-Star mode. The best player of the past week in the West, the Israeli is one of the favorites for the trophy The most advanced playerand for ten days he has been showered with compliments, either from LeBron James, Steve Nash or even Kevin Duranthis direct opponent for two nights.

“It’s very nice. As I said before, respect also feeds you.” reacts the Portland winger. “It’s definitely a compliment to the effort you put in. These are guys who have seen greatness, who have experienced greatness, and when they talk about you and your future like that, it’s obviously flattering to me.”

Another sign of respect stands out on the field as teams now focus on him. Last night, the Rockets had a plan against Avdi.

“I had the feeling that they tried everything to provoke me, to get me out of the match. They pushed me away from the ball, pressed me to the end, really did everything to get me out of rhythm. I trusted my teammates, made the right passes, and in the end we got a big win.”

The art of causing mistakes

At this stage of your career, it is beneficial to be in such a position. “Sometimes it’s hard to stay patient” he admits. “I haven’t seen that kind of defense that many times. It was definitely a playoff-style defense, with a defender literally breathing down your neck. But I’m glad I got over it a little bit. I didn’t have my best game offensively, but I found some space, made the right passes and trusted my teammates. Some games are like that.”

And then another sign that he has changed status is that opponents complain about him, and especially his ability to draw fouls, or even trap the referees.

“Honestly, it made me laugh. But let’s face it: I’m one of the most penetrating players in the league. I’m very physical. I don’t look for contact to get fouls. I attack the circle, no matter who’s in front of me,” he answers. “I don’t play for fouls, but I will make some, it’s inevitable. That’s my game. I’m aggressive, I initiate contact. If it’s hard to stop me, you have to accept it or find another solution.”

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.