Danny Avdija Snubbed in Prestigious NBA Player Rankings
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Israeli player Danny Avdija was controversially excluded from The Athletic's NBA player rankings for the 2026-27 season, despite a career-best performance last year. Yahoo Sports criticized the omission, calling it a "strange" oversight and highlighting Avdija's significant impact and skills. The rankings, which are considered subjective, have sparked debate about Avdija's standing among NBA players.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Danny Avdija was excluded from The Athletic's NBA player rankings for the 2026-27 season.
- Avdija had a career-best season, averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists.
- He was also selected to his first NBA All-Star game and was a finalist for Most Improved Player.
- Yahoo Sports criticized the omission, calling it a "strange omission" and a "miss."
- The Athletic's rankings included players like Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram.
- Avdija's exclusion has led to debate about his value and recognition in the league.
Despite a career-best season and an All-Star selection, Israeli player Danny Avdija was notably excluded from The Athletic's latest NBA player rankings for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Avdija, a key player for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists last season, finishing among the top three in Most Improved Player voting. His omission from the rankings, which included players like Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram, has drawn criticism.
Yahoo Sports defended Avdija, calling his exclusion a "strange omission" given his impressive performance. The outlet highlighted his unique combination of size, strength, and playmaking ability, which makes him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. They noted his capacity to handle the ball in transition, finish through contact, and serve as a primary offensive option.
While acknowledging that Avdija could still improve his three-point shooting consistency and ball security, Yahoo Sports emphasized that these weaknesses should not overshadow his significant progress and impact last season. They concluded that leaving Avdija out of the discussion entirely felt like a "miss" after the season he delivered, suggesting the rankings are subjective and not a definitive measure of a player's worth.
