Deni Avdija’s short interview on a major Israeli sports channel (Sport 5), after tonight’s game vs. the Brooklyn Nets 113-107 L to the Nets (Translated by me).

[The video could be found here, inside the article.](https://nba.sport5.co.il/articles.aspx?FolderID=403&docID=421562)

**Yoav Modai (Sport 5 Reporter):**
“Deni, that’s another game you are getting into foul trouble, you had 4 fouls today in the 3rd quarter. And if not for this (4th foul in 3rd Q), you’d probably play more. We can see your reactions, on the referees, and on the bench.
How much does it piss you off?”

**Deni:**
“It annoys quite a lot. I can say that sometimes it frustrates me, but I also believe I’m learning from these mistakes.
Slowly slowly, I will learn to be less aggressive or become aggressive whenever I need to, and I feel like I’m making a progress. And all in all, there is nothing to do about it – it’s part of the game – and sometimes I get into foul trouble, and it happens – I need to learn from it.”

**Yoav:**
“You said mistakes – yours or the referees?” (Note: It’s the best translation considering the context)

**Deni:**
“I believe it could be also my mistakes, sometimes, because there are some times that I do foul & usually I don’t react to it. But whenever I have disagreements about it (About a call), then yes, I will react to it, and I will ask (Referee(s)) what I did wrong.
But there is nothing to do about it, it’s part of the game”.

**Yoav:**
“What did they tell you today, for example? After Kevin Durant’s shot? (KD made and-one on Deni),
that you got into his legs?”
(Note: It was very difficult to hear due to background noise in the recording “got into his legs”, but that’s what I’ve heard Yoav saying)

**Deni:**
No, to be honest, the referee was trying to explain (to me), but you know, all the coaching staff & everyone (else) were surprised, including the players – they didn’t believe there was a foul, but there is nothing to do about it.
Again, I can’t change…”
(Note: I guess he meant to say he can’t change/reverse the call but he was interrupted).

\***Reporter interrupts Deni\***

**Yoav:**

“How would you summarize your performance tonight?”

**Deni:**

“Solid. I know I can do more. I got into foul trouble, I went out a lot (From the game), I went a little bit off rhythm because I was on the bench throughout almost the entire 2nd half
(Note: I think Deni got confused with the right word & meant to say 2nd quarter – he played only 2:37 mins due to 2 quick fouls on KD, early).
I need to remain aggressive, I believe I started the game pretty well.
And slowly slowly, getting back into the rhythm. But there are some games like that, it happens.”

**Yoav:**
“Let’s talk about the optimistic side: Another dunk, we see this trend, it’s not just a one-time thing, you broke the record (of dunks) you had through the whole last season.
You were talking about it (In the past) that it was one of your goals to improve this aspect (of your game).
Are you aware of this number?”

**Deni:**
“No, I just enjoy being more aggressive & taking (the ball) to the rim, and I just hope to keep that way”.

**Yoav:**
“What led to this change? We need to remember that…”

**Deni:**
“Nothing.”

\- The video cuts here, but in the article, there is more of the interview.
I will say that some of the transcripts they give of the interview are so much out of context (They mentioned, for example, that he said that he needs to dunk more. No he said needs to take the ball more to the rim, to be more aggressive) – very poor journalism, though there are parts they got correctly. I know they want to shorten some things Deni said, but at least be accurate.
So take the next line with a bit pinch of salt:

**Deni (Continue according to the article):**
“What led me to the change that made me dunk more?
There were training sessions in the summer, and also some “Screw got loose” (Inside him),
(Note: In Hebrew, it means someone got crazy/mentally ill, but could also mean something positive – something caused that change & now it’s for the better.
For example: “A screw got loose in him (Or brain), and now went to college, found some decent work”)

And I understood I need to be more aggressive, I understood that in the NBA I need to go up stronger to the basket.

I always enjoy the love & the people in New York. I’m happy to return here (NY) each time, to get everyone’s hugs (Also could mean support).

The atmosphere here or in the Euroleague? That’s different.” (Most probably the reporter asked him which atmosphere he prefers more)

\——————————-End——————————–

I’ve translated all by myself (Hebrew is my native language).

I’m open to feedback (If there is a mistake, please let me know),

Cheers.

by MrBuckBuck