Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Still a fairly young player, Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers is finally reaching the ceiling that was once expected when he was drafted with the No. 9 pick of the 2020 NBA Draft.

His nickname ‘Turbo’ comes from his ability to run the floor and play high-paced offense, but his game intelligence is what has surprised everyone. From a late bloomer to a player who can impact the game anytime, Advija received a well-deserved All-Star selection this season. 

Averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists, Avdija’s stats show he still has a lot of room to grow on the defensive side, but his offensive versatility is something to look out for going forward. The Israeli player has become the young star that the Trail Blazers were looking for after Damian Lillard left the team. 

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Deni Avdija’s Team Impact

The Blazers aren’t the most dominant team, but they do sit No. 9 in the Western Conference and are looking to be a dangerous NBA play-in team. The transition of this franchise after Damian Lillard hasn’t been the smoothest, but for the first time, there is a lot of optimism in Portland. Jrue Holiday has been a “fresh” breeze to this team that needed a veteran leader in the locker room that has opened up the floor to new stars like Avdija to step up. 

Many see him as a fan favorite, and he tends to be shy, a team player, and an all-around humble person off the court. If the Blazers want to help him reach his full potential, they should look to keep their star happy and develop him as a decent defender. 

Having a player this talented has also elevated team expectations, as it seems like the Sun will start to shine again in Portland. 

NBA All-Star Selection

Doubling his point and ast per game career averages, Advija is flying under the radar of many, but luckily, a couple of great performances in the All-Star game have given him the spotlight he deserves. Many fans have shown their dislike of the All-Star game, but this edition has surpassed every expectation. 

Team World had an interesting approach, where Victor Wembanyama stepped up as expected as a leader. The NBA is changing, and it seems like international players are more relevant every year and seem to continue to do so. 

Avdija’s Ceiling

He is just 25 years old, and it seems he has figured it out. There’s no doubt that the sky is the limit for a player who is already top 20 on the offensive side of the ball, but it’s not near the top 50 on the defensive end. 

Portland’s fans buckle up because it feels like Advija’s show has just begun. 

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