Deni Avdija's New Strategy: Embracing the Three-Pointer

The Portland Trail Blazers concluded a challenging week with a 118-108 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, bringing their record to 2-2 against top Western Conference teams, including the Lakers, Spurs, and the Thunder twice. Notably, the team achieved this without star player Ja Morant. This stretch of games provided the Blazers an opportunity to experience playoff-like intensity against elite competition, particularly the Thunder, who have won more playoff series in the last two seasons than any other team.

The intense matchups pushed Israeli All-Star Deni Avdija out of his comfort zone. In the win against the Thunder, Avdija set a career-high by attempting 13 three-pointers, often guarded by center Isaiah Hartenstein. Earlier in the season, he took nine threes against Denver, primarily against Aaron Gordon. Opposing teams often try to prevent Avdija from driving to the paint, forcing him to rely on jump shots. Despite these attempts, his three-point efficiency remains below league average at 33.9% for the season, though it's an improvement from previous years. The volume of his three-point attempts has nearly doubled.

Avdija is among 88 NBA players attempting over five threes per game, and while his efficiency is in the lower quartile, he ranks above notable players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Jayson Tatum in this category. The article highlights that for players who handle the ball extensively, like Avdija, their shot attempts, even if inefficient, can be strategically valuable. When Avdija rises for a shot, it forces defenders, even centers like Hartenstein, to extend, opening up offensive opportunities.

Avdija himself expressed confidence in his shot, stating, "I'm sure of my shot. I love to shoot. Once they give me space, I have to train my brain to keep shooting." He acknowledged situations where he shot without a pass, which he prefers less, but emphasized that when he was open, he took the shot. He believes the Thunder's defensive plan, while smart, ultimately backfired. Unlike players who shoot immediately upon crossing half-court, Avdija's strength lies in driving to the basket. When Oklahoma City's defense, featuring strong individual defenders like Hartenstein, closed off this option, Avdija was compelled to expand his game.

While these three-point attempts might not always be the most tactically sound, especially in clutch situations where Damian Lillard might be the preferred option, they serve a strategic purpose. They force opponents to make adjustments, such as closing out on Avdija, which can then allow him to drive to the paint or draw fouls. His 4-of-13 from three in the game was directly linked to his 5-of-7 shooting from inside the arc. This performance is likely to deter playoff teams from leaving him open in the future and can lead to better looks for teammates.

Oklahoma City's coach acknowledged Avdija's driving ability, comparing him to players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Zion Williamson, and stated their strategy was to force him into taking "bad shots." Despite Avdija's inefficiency from deep, his ability to draw defenders also benefits his team's energy management. With a reduced offensive load, Avdija has shown improved defensive impact, contributing four steals and two blocks in the final quarter and in the closing seconds of the game, including a steal and a drawn foul that shifted the score. The article suggests that this expanded offensive approach, even with lower percentages, makes him a more complete player and a greater threat, enabling him to impact games defensively in crucial moments.