Deni Avdija’s standout NBA season earned further recognition Monday when the Portland Trail Blazers forward was named Western Conference Player of the Week.
Avdija led Portland to three wins in four games during the week of Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, averaging 26.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.8 assists. The stretch included a victory over San Antonio.
He became the 14th player in franchise history to receive the honor and the first since Damian Lillard on Feb. 6, 2023. It marked the first time Avdija has been selected as Player of the Week in either conference. Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after leading the 76ers to three wins in three games.
Earlier, Michael Pina of The Ringer included Avdija in a feature on eight NBA players making major leaps this season, describing him as an All-Star-caliber player and a leading candidate for Most Improved Player.
“I had Avdija as my pick for Most Improved at the quarter-season mark, and it’s still his award to lose,” Pina wrote. “I don’t really care about Portland’s record. He’s an All-Star, period.”
Pina cited Avdija’s season averages of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists, saying only Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have had a greater positive offensive impact on their teams this season.
According to Pina’s analysis, Avdija has dramatically increased his free-throw rate and leads the league in drives to the basket. He has also posted the largest jump in drives per 75 possessions compared with last season.
Pina highlighted Avdija’s decision-making, particularly when attacking the paint. He said Avdija leads the NBA in assists generated off drives by a wide margin and noted that opposing coaches now defend him similarly to how teams once defended James Harden at his peak.
As an example, Pina pointed to a late possession in Portland’s close win over San Antonio, when the Spurs sent a double-team near midcourt. Avdija calmly passed out of the pressure, leading to a wide-open 3-pointer.
“Growth like this is extremely rare,” Pina wrote. “Avdija represents exactly what the Most Improved Player award should be. His improvement has fundamentally altered the direction of the franchise and its team-building strategy.”
Other players listed alongside Avdija in Pina’s feature included Jalen Duren, Ryan Rollins, Michael Porter Jr., Jalen Johnson, Dillon Brooks, Neemias Queta and Austin Reaves.