The Interview was conducted by [Yoav Modai](https://twitter.com/Yoav_Modai) from the biggest Israeli sports channel in Israel – Sport5 channel (media outlet). **It was done after the last game vs. the New York Knicks in MSG (In last Wednesday).**
[The article with the interview video is here (In Hebrew).](https://nba.sport5.co.il/articles.aspx?FolderID=403&docID=426032)
This is the translation I did from the video inside the article – **I’m a native Hebrew speaker**:
**Main Title:**
Deni Avdija: I’m confident in my position (status-wise) in Washington.
**Title’s description beneath it:**
Exclusive. About the win over New York where he scored 14 points (“We needed that”), the inconsistency (“It will arrive with time”), the first half of the season (“I did a leap”), and the feelings near the trade deadline. Washington’s forward in an interview.
\——————————————–Start————————
\- **Yoav:**
“Deni, after 5 straight games you didn’t score in double figures, and 5 losses out of the last 6 games, how much did you need it (as a team)? and how much did you need it (as a player)?”
\- **Deni:**
“It was (needed) more for the team, I feel like it was a good win. We needed that, it was important.
Overall, that’s it. I believe it was a good game – it was fun, enjoyable – and that’s it, looking forward.”
**- Yoav:**
“How do you sum up your performance?”
**- Deni:**
“I think it was solid. I was relatively aggressive, and overall, the most important thing is that I had fun on the court. I did what I know (to do), I had fun, and that’s it.”
**- Yoav:**
“I think it’s also true about games & in general throughout this season, in a young career, what really counts in the NBA is the consistency, to remain steady – throughout the entire game & overall – how can you improve this aspect?”
(Note: Yes, the reporter phrased this question quite badly, I could have changed the translation to make “more sense” of it, but I’ve decided to keep it as it was originally asked this time).
**- Deni:**
“Just to remain focused. I think it is something that also comes along with your experience, with your age, to know how not to get sucked into less good times (Note: or periods of time). Overall, that’s it.
You know, I go on, I don’t get emotional (Note: or excited) by it (anymore). It stopped exciting me.
I had worse times in my career & in general. I believe in myself, I believe in my abilities, and that’s it, I don’t have something to get emotional (or excited) about from other abilities.”
(Note: The bad phrasing is genuine by Deni. He probably meant there is nothing for him to be excited about when he is having a bad time – underperforming).
**- Yoav:**
“We’re getting closer to the trade deadline. Do you think feel any pressure here in the locker room?”
**- Deni:**
\*laughs as it was an absurd question\* “No”.
“To be honest, everyone is alright, I’m also okay. Whatever happens, happens, and I remain positive.”
**- Yoav:**
“Are you confident in your status here in Washington?”
**- Deni:**
“Yes.”
**- Yoav:**
“Other general questions:
We passed through half of your season (the current one), how do you sum it up?”
**- Deni:**
“Ups & downs. I think that overall I can improve in many aspects (of his game) – I’m well aware of them – I know what I need to improve & what not. All in all, I do think I made a leap in terms of my own maturity. That’s it. And again, I enjoy the path, and to me, that’s the most important thing.
There are goals that I want to reach, but the most important thing is to enjoy the path & that’s what I’m doing.”
**- Yoav:**
“There are reports about Pablo Laso (Note: A Spanish coach) that he might coach the (Israeli) national team…”
**\*\*Deni interrupts\*\***
**- Deni:**
“I’m not… — I’m currently less into the things with the Israeli national team & I won’t get into it. It’s less relatable to me right now. I’m focused on (what is happening) here.”
**- Yoav:**
\- “Another half-season is ahead of us, what is your biggest goal? For the remaining of the season?”
**- Deni:**
“To have fun.
**- Yoav:**
\- “Are you having fun so far?”
**- Deni:**
“Yes. I enjoy, I enjoy in the meantime – in the ups & in the downs – I’m having fun. ”
**- Yoav:**
“Can we say that your favorite basketball arena is the Madison Square Garden? Or am I wrong & it is \*inaudible to me\* ”
**- Deni:**
“The Capital One Arena” (most favorited).
\—————————————-End—————————
In the article they also talk about Obi Toppin, Deni’s performance, and his low 3PT% – among NBA forwards with 120 + 3-point attempts Deni is ranked (According to Sport5) 3rd from last with 28.3% – just above Scottie Barnes & Jalen Smith.
**The translation was done solely by me – any comments – good or bad ones – if you got anything you think I need to fix in the translation – most welcome to give feedback about it.**
Cheers.
by MrBuckBuck
