Portland Trail Blazers fans are already well aware that Deni Avdija has been playing at an All-Star level this season. But, as ESPN's Tim Bontemps recently mentioned on Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective, the wing's breakout has gone relatively unnoticed nationally.
"Deni Avdija is making the All-Star team. I don't care what the qualifications are," Bontemps added. "He has been unbelievable for Portland. As somebody who didn't like that trade at the time for Portland and thought it was an overpay, he would look awfully good for the Wizards right now. The Blazers bet right on Deni's upside."
Avdija's chances of making his first All-Star appearance may have increased thanks to the NBA's All-Star format change, which now requires eight international players. He's also set to benefit from unfortunate injury circumstances, with stars around the league missing more time than ever.
However, given how he's played, Avdija had a strong case to make the All-Star game regardless of these external factors.
The Blazers stole an All-Star in Deni Avdija
Whether it's due to Portland's market size, their 8-12 record, lack of nationally televised games, or other factors, Avdija's star ascension continues to fly under the radar. Perhaps some viewed it as a small sample size to start the season, waiting for Avdija to come back down to Earth. But just ask Blazers fans: he's simply this good now.
This season, Avdija is averaging 25.8 points per game on 48/38/81 shooting splits. He's getting to the line at an absurd rate of 9.0 attempts per game, ranking sixth in the NBA. His three-point shot is more efficient than ever, and at the highest volume he's had in his career at 6.8 attempts per game.
All of these are career highs as Avdija continues to ascend as Portland's go-to scoring option. But what gives him a legitimate All-Star case and separates him from the rest of the scorers in the league is his versatility, averaging 7.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists.
We just saw interim head coach Tiago Splitter start five forwards in their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Avdija rose to the occasion with a triple-double of 31 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. Throughout the season, Splitter has also elected to play jumbo lineups with the majority of Portland's backcourt sidelined with extended injuries. Avdija then stepped up his playmaking, becoming more of a point forward to initiate the offense.
The Blazers have ranked eighth in cash total per day missed ($12,508,635) this season, according to Sportrac. Deni has emerged as a silver lining in Portland's brutal injuries to start the season, filling the void of whatever is required that particular night, thanks to his well-rounded game.
Blazers fans have seen firsthand how valuable Avdija has been this season, not only becoming their clear-cut best player but also shaping his game to help keep an injured Blazers team afloat out west.
There's nothing to suggest this will slow down anytime soon, and with the up-and-coming Blazers getting healthier and better overall, it's only a matter of time before the rest of the league catches on to the level Avdija is playing at.