How Danny Avdija Turned a Difficult NBA Start Into Success

A new Hebrew book, "(Ha)khala LeShabbat, Guide to Beginnings," uses Danny Avdija’s early NBA struggles as one example of how people can turn setbacks into a fresh start. The Sports 5 article says Avdija’s move to Washington was difficult, because the NBA gives no breaks to rookies, and his first season was interrupted by a broken foot and more nagging injuries. American sports commentators also questioned the Wizards’ decision to draft him.

Avdija initially found himself in a supporting role, not the center of attention, alongside established players Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal. He played little, touched the ball too infrequently, and was unable to show his offensive strengths. Faced with the choice of collapsing under pressure or using criticism as fuel, he responded by working harder, staying in the gym, improving his outside shooting, defensive footwork and physical strength, and adding muscle mass.

That effort eventually brought a $55 million contract, described as the largest in Israeli sports history. The article says that money was only the prelude to the real breakthrough that awaited him. It frames Avdija’s story as part of a broader message about not postponing important decisions, especially after the shock of October 7, and about taking action in an age when artificial intelligence can already write, analyze, create and plan.

Author Michal Lotzki says the most important human skill today is the ability to begin. Her book grew out of a weekly column with more than 120 stories, and it includes the START Never-Over model, practical exercises, and examples of people who began against the odds, including Arna Berry, Sara Blakely, Tony Hsieh, Jack Ma and Avdija. The book also ends with Lotzki’s own previously untold personal story and is accompanied by a notebook designed to help readers record and build their own beginnings.