Draymond Green Praises Deni Avdija's NBA Ascent

Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green hosted Israeli forward Deni Avdija on his podcast, "The Draymond Green Show," offering effusive praise for Avdija's development in the NBA. Green highlighted Avdija's transformation from a promising young player into an "All-Star" averaging 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, particularly noting his impressive performance against Portland last season. "You made our lives hell every night," Green admitted with a smile, recalling tough matchups. He commended Avdija's ability to drive to the basket, comparing it to the best players he's seen, and his willingness to engage in physical play, which Green believes is well-suited for the playoffs. Green also related to Avdija's comments about how advice from Chauncey Billups to rebound and run the floor unlocked his game, explaining that this transition play is also key to his own offensive strategy. He observed that many young players miss this crucial element of initiating offense from rebounds. Green further lauded Avdija's toughness and readiness for contact, recalling an instance where Avdija didn't back down from a physical play. Green also acknowledged Avdija's status in Israel, suggesting he might be the greatest Israeli basketball player ever based on his achievements. He concluded by expressing joy at seeing Avdija's hard work translate into becoming one of the toughest players in the NBA.