Dear Coach: Notes for Wes Unseld Jr. from a Washington Wizards fan
By Caleb Sarvis
1. Give Deni Avdija time as the backup point guard
Prior to the 2020 NBA draft, Deni Avidija’s main strength seemed to be his playmaking ability. He never averaged a high number of assists, but anyone who watched tape could see that he thrives with the ball in his hands. He has a natural feel for pace and a well-timed passing touch. The prior coaching staff seemed hell-bent on playing him as a spot-up small forward, which didn’t make any sense, nor did it seem to work. Avdija shot 31.7 percent on catch-and-shoot threes last season, per NBA stats.
Not all wings are made the same. Last season, Avdija looked most comfortable when he played without Beal or Westbrook and could take the ball up the floor and get the offense started. The same thing happened with Troy Brown Jr. before he was traded to Chicago.
He is not as quick as Westbrook or Ism Smith, or even Raul Neto, but that’s okay. He knows how to create plays for others and might function best in the pick-and-roll with either Bryant or Gafford while being flanked by a shooter like Bertans. When the lane opens up for him, you might be surprised by how well he finishes.
By the way. Speaking of Westbrook, Smith, and Neto…