[The original article (In Hebrew).](https://www.sport5.co.il/articles.aspx?FolderID=403&docID=421639) The article was created by Sport 5 journalist – Yoav Modai.
I wish they’d also give the original English transcript, in the article.
Article’s Headline:
**Taj Gibson to the Israeli sports channel: “Deni Avdija is the future of Washington”**
Sub-headline:
**The veteran big man reveals the moment in practice that made him impressed by the Israeli\[“I told myself that he is really talented”\].**
**Corey Kispert: “Deni is shooting well during practices. Give him enough time & he’d translate it to the games as well”**
Article context:
Deni Avdija was in great shape, some will say his best in his NBA career, but in the latest games, he went out of rhythm. Tonight (Between Friday to Saturday – Note: Israel’s time), Avdija will return to get back into business, as Washington will be hosted against one of the weakest teams this season in the NBA – Charlotte.
In the previous game between the two teams, which took place less than two weeks ago and ended up with the Wizards’ victory, the Israeli had his first double-double this season, 12 points & 13 rebounds.
Leading to the competition (Note: Hornets vs. Wizards), two of Avdija’s teammates, **Taj Gibson & Corey Kispert**, spoke with “Sports channel” about the 21 years old forward, the situation in the Wizards that is ranked 9th in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 11:11 & their contribution to the squad.
(Note: Sport 5 used to be called just “Aro-tz Ha-Sport” The Sports channel – it’s still used from time to time).
**”Deni Avdija is a baller”, Gibson started saying**. “2.06 meters (Note: 6’9”) that can do everything, he is very talented & it’s scary because he is young. In one of our first practices, when he was still recovering from injury, 3 guards were trying to steal the ball from him & and they just couldn’t.
Deni dribbled with ease & simultaneously laughed,
I told myself: ‘Wow, he is really talented”.
**”The main tip I give Deni is to always hold your head high.**
He shouldn’t be too tough on himself, because sometimes he is the biggest critic of his own ability.
It’s just showing how much he wants to improve as a player & help the team, but he has to lift his head up & keep playing the game, all the rest of the things will come by themselves.
He is the Wizards’ future.”
Gibson got selected 3 places after Omri Casspi in the 2009 draft (26th pick) & in most of his years in the league, he was in Chicago, where he made an image of himself as one of the tough players in the NBA.
Today the big man is 37 years old and plays an important role in the locker room of the team from the United States capital.
“I try to be myself & contribute in any way I can”, he (Taj) said.”I’m a player that thinks first about the benefit of the team, my role is to help my friends on the court & outside of it.
We need to get into a rhythm & a flow. Right now, the East is quite dense, and a lot of teams struggle for their place (Note: In the Eastern Conference ranking).
Later, we’ll need to get out of there with a winning streak.”
**Kispert, the 15th pick of Washington in the 2021 draft, talked about his role:**
“The major difference I feel between my 1st & 2nd year is my confidence.
I know better what I need to do & what is going on around me, and I feel more comfortable with my role on this team. Nothing is new anymore, so I can be myself & it is reflected (Note: Comes into practice) in my ability.
The forward/guard improved his averages from 8.2 points to 9.0 points, as the fundamental leap was in his percentages: From 45.5% from the field goal & 35% from 3 to 52% from the field & 42% from 3.
“I think that our brotherhood is something unique in our team”, he added.”Everyone here really loves each other. We like to be together & it helps us to collect ourselves in tougher times, instead of falling apart.
It’s hard to find something like this in the NBA and it’s really cool we have this kind of friendship in the locker room. It’s a long season, we need to stay united in the good & less good moments.”
**What he said about Avdija**:
“I love his attitude. Everybody sees he is an excellent player, but I can say that I see he is always thrilled when he arrives at practices.
He has the energy that our locker room really needs, he is our ‘lighter’ if you will.”
(Note: The translator (English to Hebrew) perhaps (I suppose) meant in his translation to lighter as for fire up the teammates around him in the locker room)
Kispert talked about Avdija’s percentages from beyond the arc, which went down from 31.5% in his 1-2 seasons to 28% only this season.”Deni is shooting well in practices, he just needs to translate the shooting into the games themselves.
Give him enough time & he will do it. His shooting technique looked excellent after the summer, whoever worked with him in the ‘off-season’ did a good job. He needs to maintain stability & get rid of bad habits.”.
“I watched Deni’s highlights with the Israeli national team from the Eurobasket”.
Kispert shared.”What did I like the most? First of all, his tan (Note: Israeli summer).
And I loved his aggressiveness, he attacked the basket the whole time & it looked excellent.”
\———————End of the article————–
Everything was translated by me (I’m a native Hebrew speaker).
If you find anything good or bad, I’d love to hear.
Peace & cheers.
by MrBuckBuck
1 Comment
> “The main tip I give Deni is to always hold your head high”
I’m glad someone’s telling him this, he’s very talented but as soon as he misses one or two shots or gets called for a foul he starts getting flustered and plays out of his game. He’s been much better about this since last season but I still want to see the same level aggressiveness from him both offensively and defensively. Thanks btw for the translation