Portland Assistant Coach Praises Deni Avdija’s Breakout Season

Portland assistant coach James Posey praised Deni Avdija after the Israeli forward delivered the best season of his career, helped lead Portland to the playoffs, and earned his first All-Star appearance. The article says these are milestone achievements for an Israeli basketball player.

Posey, who also coached Avdija during his time in Washington, said he has watched his growth for years and sees the results of Avdija’s work. “Deni had a great season, and it put him in a new spotlight,” Posey said. “I was with him in Washington too, and the opportunity to see over the years the strengths in his game and watch him show it night after night, he became an All-Star.”

Posey credited Avdija’s “hard work and perseverance” and said “all the credit goes to him.” He also praised Portland’s culture, saying the team emphasized accountability and work ethic, with no days off and everyone showing up to work.

He added that Avdija was at the forefront of everything because of his leadership and his habit of arriving early to the arena to shoot and do extra training. Posey said the whole organization was aligned, and that if the team kept doing what it needed to do, it would finish the season where it should be.