Deni Avdija enters year two expecting to be more consistent and he believes having more familiarity with the NBA should help with that goal.
The 2020 No. 9 overall pick had an opportunity to get familiar with Russell Westbrook‘s work ethic and leadership style during his rookie year and that’s something that he’ll carry with him on his journey through the league.
“Russ made me tough mentally for sure,” Avdija told FortyEightMinutes and other media on Monday. “Playing with a great player like Russ wasn’t easy, especially as a rookie.
“He demands a lot of you on the court and I experienced it sometimes the hard way. Whether it’s him shouting on me sometimes during the game. I just want to say thank you to him because he just made me stronger. He helped me coming into the NBA and really make my mind better. I need to thank him for a great first year.”
Westbrook’s impact in Washington went beyond his gaudy box scores. He brought a work ethic that was contagious: a dedication to a consistency that helped some of the younger players, including Avdija, get closer to their potential.
I know I’ve said it before but covering Russell Westbrook this season has truly been such a privilege.
The way he genuinely cares about his teammates and making them better through consistency—that’s leadership. It’s really inspiring. pic.twitter.com/vHGRKAiLiD
— Chris W. Crouse (@ChrisWCrouse) June 3, 2021
You can find all of FortyEightMinutes’ Washington Coverage on our Wizards’ Team page
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