Deni Avdija on Becoming an NBA All-Star, Playing In NBA Playoffs & Hilarious Draymond Green Story

What's up everybody? Welcome back to the Draymond Green Show. My guest today had one hell of a year last season. And the last couple years he's been putting it together, but it all came together last year. He went from a really good young player to an All-Star, putting up 24, 7, and 7 a night in Portland. And now with, with more expectations. I want to talk to him about that jump, about his career, where he thinks he and the Blazers can go this year. So everybody help me in welcoming Deni Avila. Welcome to the Draymond Green Show, my brother.

Hey everyone, what's going on? Thank you for having me.

Absolutely. I appreciate you, man. It's been, it's been an honor and a joy to watch your career, you know, coming in as a lottery pick in Washington, an organization that hasn't had much success. It's kind of always in the lottery draft and one lottery guy after another. And, you know, you kind of feeling it out there, right? A little bit, but not totally finding yourself. Can you talk to me about, you know, what the journey was like starting in Washington for you?

Well, for sure. I feel like, first of all, I came in a year that wasn't easy. Like I didn't have, remind you, I didn't have the draft In New York City. I didn't have like meeting all the lottery picks. I wasn't having like the experience that everybody got drafted. My draft kind of was stuck. I think it was in November, if I'm not mistaken. You know, I was back home, 4 AM. You tweeted about all the bottles of wine I had behind me back in the night.

I

won't forget about that. That was funny. But yeah, just drafted in the middle of the night, you know, with all your friends and family, that was a special moment. But then you come to DC, which is, you know, kind of a ghost town back in COVID days. Yeah. You come in and there's nobody outside and you're in your little hotel room and you walk into the gym and like everybody with masks on, you can't really like dap nobody up. So I feel like coming to the NBA at that moment, to this situation, especially coming from overseas, that's the hardest start I could have had in the beginning of my career. And obviously it had a lot of effect on, you know, my journey in the beginning. You know, it wasn't smooth. I had to play with some great players around me, some good vets, and it got me tougher, but it wasn't easy for sure. It took me a while.

That is, that's interesting to hear. I never, I never thought about that or even heard someone say it or, or

I know

people are kind of that perspective.

That's what I'm saying. People like from my draft class kind of like put it aside, which for me, it had a lot of effect on me. Like I feel like when I came in, you know, I'm a very social guy, you know, talk to people and suddenly like you're in a new place, new team, and you can't really even Like Bond. You have to do all the testing every day. You're in your hotel rooms, you can't go out. So I feel like people kind of forget about that. That's how we started. That was like our beginning of the journey. So I guess it's—

So you're walking in the facility and for 8 months, you really don't even know what some people you're working with mouth and nose look

like. Dre, they would— I was not— I have no idea. One time they put out the masks, I didn't even recognize them. Like, that's how crazy— like, half of this face is important to recognize people. It's crazy. Yeah, it's been— That's interesting. I know, I know

that. Because I think— is James Wiseman the same draft as you?

Yeah, James Wiseman and Edwards went first in that draft class. LaMelo.

Yeah, and I, and I never even— it's like, to even think about it from James Wiseman perspective, you're talking a kid who 18 years old and was going to college and then got booted out from the college. So now he's just working out for a year. And then you come to that. I never thought about that.

That's what I'm saying. And people, people, people like don't, you know what I'm saying? It's a hard, some guys just couldn't, I feel like it gave a lot of pressure. It wasn't easy. You know, some guys it affected, probably it affected their career and people forget about it. So

yeah, I think, I think, I think y'all may have had a couple guys from your draft retire like Real, like early. Wow, that's very interesting.

I know.

Last year you're in Portland. You gave us hell every night, by the way. Really pissed me off. But you led the team in scoring. You made your first All-Star team. And obviously now you're starting to really build and actually has become who you were drafted to become. Now you're in a situation where you are already All-Star and you got Dame, Mr. Portland Trailblazer, coming back. You got Ja Morant, you know, who's a young All-Star as well. Does it feel different for you walking into this season knowing that the expectations on you are higher and that you kind of have these 2 other stars alongside you?

I'm gonna just say the expectations, I think it's a good thing. I think, you know, being not as dominant for a long period of time in a team that wasn't really competing, to have expectations from fans, from the city, from the organization, it's a good problem to have, for sure.

Yes, it is.

I think having 2 guys that have been All-Stars, great players, being around you really helps. Especially with their experience, and I think that is yeah. As I said, it's a good problem, and I like it. You know, and I like I feel like there is expectations, but you know, that's part of our kind of job. I mean, you face expectations every year. I face expectations every year, and honestly, I'm just coming in a positive mindset. You know, obviously last year gave me confidence, having the ball a lot, and. Obviously, you know, with 2 dominant guards coming back, you do have one basketball in the end of the day. You play with one ball. And yeah, I feel like I'm not— I'm pretty versatile. You know, I kind of adapt to the system. I put trust in my teammates. I love sharing the ball. I love passing it. And they are too. We have good chemistry. You know, I met Ja. I didn't meet him before, but He's a great kid. Obviously loves to hoop and really high IQ for both of them. And it's been nice for sure in training camp. Yeah.

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Yeah, I know.

He is as strong as anybody I've ever seen. Like, it's really league getting downhill, right? But, you know, in becoming an All-Star, did you feel like— like, when did you realize, like, yo, in the NBA I can actually reach that level? Because I know, like, for me, for instance, we played the Clippers in the second— my second year, we played the Clippers in the 7-game series. I started that series due to injury. Then next year, I mean, that summer our coach ends up getting fired. Steve Kerr comes in and I'm supposed to come off the bench. I end up starting due to injury again and the rest is history. But after that series, I remember saying to Adrian Stelly, who, I don't know if you know Stell. Stell was just at Converse. He's back at Nike now, but he was my Nike rep when I first came into the league. And we were walking after the game. We were just walking through Staples Center. And I was like, man, Stels. I averaged 20 and 10 that series, 7-game series against— averaged 20 and 10. And I was like, man, Stels, they didn't let me realize I can be an All-Star in this league. Like it was that moment. And I still didn't know if I'd had the opportunity because I still wasn't starting. I was starting through the injury, but I still didn't know. But it was that moment where I realized like, yo.

You figured it out.

I could do this. You know what I'm saying? Where would you say that moment came for you at?

That's a tough question. I'm gonna say it happened, it happened really, it kind of happened fast. Like I already, I knew in practices and like when I'm working out, like I knew I had tools for my height and my skill set that not a lot of guys have, but I didn't know if I can be an all-star or I can be a consistent player. Because, you know, I had, you know, everybody had 20 points, sometimes 25. They have those good games. And then after those good games, sometimes I'll drop back to where I was. And, you know, a lot of times you overthink as a player. You're like, am I really— can I really be that consistent for 82 games? It blows my mind. I was like, maybe I can't. You know, I don't know. Maybe I just can't. And then when I came back, came to Portland, I struggled a lot in the beginning. And then I remember Chauncey came up to me because I was really struggling. I just got traded from Washington after having a good year, coming to a new team again, switching the situation. And I struggled in the beginning. I wasn't myself. And then Chauncey came to me like, listen, you're a great rebounder. Every time you take the rebound, you push it. I want you to push it.

Wow.

So I just started doing that. That was my— this— that was the only thing I was waiting in the game is to grab the board and just facilitating myself. And then the more I did it, the more everything kind of opened up. I kind of like— it was like kind of snowballing. And then towards the end of the year, I was facilitating most of the offense and I felt really good and I had a really good year in the end of the year. Mm-hmm. Then coming back to this year, I start the season, obviously, and then I realize like we're 10 games in or 15 games in and I'm like, I'm averaging like 24 or 25 points and, you know, I'm sharing the ball and facilitating. I'm having fun. I'm like, maybe I'm capable. You know what I'm saying? Like maybe every— That's cool. Like I just needed like an opportunity or kind of felt like I belonged somewhere or like start competing. Absolutely. I don't think there was a moment that I said maybe I can be an All-Star, but I think the moment I thought that I have something in me is like, definitely I had like a 43-point game versus New Orleans. That was my career high. I think that's where I was like, if I come to this number, even though it's one game, maybe I have something in me that I still haven't figured out. But it wasn't like you after a series figuring it out. Oh, shit. Like I got the opportunity in a seven-game series and I balled out. I didn't have that, but I definitely felt it. You know, I didn't have the moment that was like, okay, I can keep going. I can do that. But it happened fast, so I can't. It was different than you.

Yeah, no, that's that's dope though. So you would say, you know, I grew up around Chauncey and Ben, Rip, Rashid, and those guys. Like I. would go in the locker room with these guys, be at the gym with these guys. And so I know Chauncey's mindset and, you know, I know how he pushed guys. Like I would watch, Rasheed Wallace is one of the, if not Rasheed Wallace's top 3 most skilled basketball players to ever play in the NBA. Irregardless of— position. Rasheed Wallace is top 3 most talented guys to ever play in the NBA. But she, she also get in she head sometimes. She may walk in and be like, fuck it, I don't want to

play

tonight. And having somebody like Chance—

Those would be the most talented players, by the way. Those who got the mood. Those have that, like, you know, sometimes they're like off. Those will be the most talented.

That's she, right? But having a guy like Chance, in the locker room was somebody that could help push him. And so to see him in a coach's role and you like, yo, this one thing he told me, which is get the rebound and push the ball, unlocks everything. Like it unlocks your entire game, right?

I know.

It's crazy. And hearing you say that is crazy because getting the rebound and pushing in transition is actually what unlocked my game. Like, that's playing this free-flowing and getting in transition, hitting Steph for 3, hitting Klay for 3, right? Get in transition, screen, dive, get in the pocket, hit Andre.

You got a rhythm.

That's actually what got me to going in my game. So it's crazy to hear you say like, yo, literally get your rebound and push it. 1,000%.

For sure.

I'm also—

No, go ahead, go ahead.

Go ahead.

No, I'm saying I will also give credit. I forgot, you know, I also give credit to Tiago. that kind of like, you know, was building on it and really saw the potential and kind of, you know, my best year I had, he was my coach. So obviously like, big shout out to him as well. Go ahead.

1,000%. But I was gonna say, think about the amount of young guys who we see in this league that has potential, that maybe jump higher than me, run faster than me. You're fast as hell. Say jump higher than you. Maybe not as fast or, you know, right in the ballpark that don't rebound though. And because they don't rebound, they can never get into that, which ultimately can show a coach for yourself, yo, look, look what he's doing when he get the ball and push it in transition. Look at the plays he's making. And then they make you a part of the half-court offense, right?

Exactly. That's the evolution. I feel like that's the evolution. I know. I feel like that's the evolution. Like you show your skills in the open court, you know, nobody, No coach, even if you don't, you know, in a set offense, if you start dribbling and doing some stuff, sometimes it looks a little off if that's not your role. But once you get the board and you push it and you make good passes and good reads, I feel like that's, it gets you in rhythm a little bit. And a lot of, a lot of players miss it for sure. A lot of players that have the ability to rebound miss it. It's a big, it's a big key for what opened up my game.

1000%. I always tell people I get my rhythm in a game by making a pass. So Steve learned this about me, right? Steve learned, and you know, for a large part of my career, we would always start the play, start the game with me making a pass on a play. Because once I get on the court, number one, every game I go into, I'm nervous as hell. Like still to this day, nervous as hell.

Every game?

Every single game, I'm talking about like nervous, like every single time.

You shared that before? I don't think I heard you say that before.

No, I've just said like, yo, I'm always nervous when I play. But like, no, I'm telling you like—

You don't show that though.

I try to like mask it.

Yeah, you do. You mask it pretty good.

Every single game I go to, bro, I'm having a lightweight heart attack. Like, how is this about to go? Like, every single time.

It don't matter who you play. It don't matter who you play.

Does not matter.

It can be an empty gym. Empty gym.

It could be empty gym. It could be during COVID nobody in the stands. It could be against the worst team in the NBA. I am like, like— That's funny, man.

That's funny, man.

When I make a pass, I'm good.

Like once I make a pass, it's over.

I'm straight once I make a pass.

That's that first post-up play you guys have, right?

And boom, I'm good to go. I'm settled in, business as usual. But I also think for me, like, and it's been this way since I was a kid, like obviously growing up, you know, and getting to the NBA through college, I scored the basketball even earlier in my career. But my favorite thing to do has always been to pass. Like, it's been my favorite thing. And so the fact that it calms me, you know, it's like an interesting thing because it's no matter what level of basketball I've ever played, my favorite thing, I've always felt so much better in getting an assist than I did about getting a bucket.

I mean, I feel you. I'm, you know, I'm, Some would say I'm a first-pass guy as well. So I mean, obviously you've done it most of the career. You had hell of a scorers to pass it to for sure. But, you know, I totally agree. It feels— something feels better when you make a good play for somebody else. I'm gonna say it with how I learned to— you know, I'm from Europe, obviously.

Absolutely.

That you move the ball. There's not a lot of dribbling at all. So I mean, I can totally relate to that for sure.

1,000%. I wanna ask you about your first playoff experience. You know, I've obviously been fortunate to play in the playoffs a bunch, but I remember that first playoff experience, us playing against the Denver Nuggets my rookie year. And we were the 6th seed, they were the 3rd seed. And, you know, that's when they had Iguodala, they had Gallinari, they had Wilson Chandler. Ty Lawson, Kenneth Farid, Javelle McGee. Like they had a really good team. Kenyon Martin may have been on that team. I could be a— he could be a little ways gone, but they had a really, really, really good team. And that was my first player. Oh, Andre Miller. OG Andre Miller, bro. Andre Miller, one of the toughest guards I ever had in my life. Like to guard, One of the toughest assignments I ever had in my career. But like, they had a really good team. And that's our first playoff experience. You know, that's the Warriors' first time making the playoffs since 2007, we believe, but only the second time in 21 years, right? And so like that first playoff experience for us felt like winning a championship. What was your first playoff experience now that you've got to experience that?

Wow. Well, we didn't have a playoff run in a couple of years. I can't remember the exact number, but my first playoff experience, first of all, I had the play-in. I don't think there's— you guys didn't have play-ins back in the day, but—

Yeah, no, not—

Yeah, but I had the play-in and obviously beating Phoenix and get the 7th seed, you know, that was important for us. Although, Although I'm gonna say that both Oklahoma City and San Antonio are very, very, very hard matchups for your first playoff experiences.

Yes, sir.

Big body, big bodies. Well, obviously Spurs, like, you know, you have Wemby at the rim you got to worry about. You have great defenders, guards that's scrappy, they're young. And I felt like for a playoff experience, it was very rough. I'm gonna say it wasn't easy at all, especially when I'm so physical and you take my physicality with physicality. It's like you bump heads. It's gonna be a war, man. You know how it is.

Collision every game. Every time down the court, it's a collision.

Yeah. So that was pretty tough because they came super ready and prepared. I feel like obviously you won one game that was That was nice, you know, experience one win in a playoff series. It wasn't a sweep, but you learn a lot from it. You understand how different it is. You understand how much details are important, how much you really like pay attention to every possession, every offense, every player tendencies. Like it's a whole different game. I think a lot of people like fans, they don't really understand as us as players how much the experience is different. in the playoffs. And obviously you've been to the late stages and winning a championship, which is a completely different precision. But for me, having to start playing versus— obviously they were in the finals. So playing versus that team gave me a lot of experience and it gave me some tough time. You know, it made me tougher because I understood, okay, this is not— it's not the regular season. Like, I can't just—

Absolutely.

Go out there and, you know, bump people and draw a million fouls and go to the line. You know, I got to figure it out on the run. And you know what, maybe better even in the offseason, the things I'm working on is different.

Yeah, no, that's great. The playoffs will do that to you. I always tell people, and you'll experience this as you continue going in your career and continue to elevate and go further and further, is round 1 is much harder than the regular season. Round 2 makes round 1 feel like a piece of cake. The conference finals, you get to the conference finals for the first time, you like, man, You feel like you've never played in the playoffs. It's such a different experience.

See, I didn't experience that.

You been in the NBA Finals?

No, but don't do that to me now.

No, you'll get there.

But the first round was hard. The first one wasn't easy for me.

I'm just preparing your mind.

Okay.

You'll get there because you're gonna continue to elevate in the way you elevate and it's gonna happen for you. But I'm telling you, and I'm telling you this now so you don't have to, so when you experience it, you already know what to expect. Round 1, they're gonna make it tough on you. Round 2, when you get to round 2, Denny, what you do best, they're completely taking that away. Whatever it is that you do best, the discipline of a team in round 2 as opposed to round 1, what you do best, they're taking that away. So make sure you working on your counters to whatever it is that you love most about your game. Make sure you got the counter to that because when you get to the second round, they taking that thing you do best away. When you get to the conference finals, the thing you do best and your counter—

And the counter. They take it away.

It's no more. Like, so you now gotta be so slick and like with precision to get to that thing. And the NBA finals, you know me, I know you. Mano a mano, who gonna get that loose ball? Who gonna get the offensive rebound? Who gonna get the stop when it's needed? Because I know everything you're gonna do, and I'm disciplined enough to sit on everything you're gonna do. And you're— you know everything I'm gonna do, and because you've made it this far, you too are disciplined enough to sit on every action that we, we thought we had. And that's, and that's how it goes. So prepare yourself for that because And I'll tell you another thing that you can't do during the playoffs. It's funny to hear you say, man, the physicality you play with, like, it's hard. Like, the playoffs, it hurts, man. Like, it hurts like hell. You cannot allow your mind to process how bad it hurts and how tired you are for the duration of the playoffs. You have to beat your mind For the duration of that, because it like, you're, what you realize when you do that is when you get to the end and it ends, you're like dead for a couple weeks because you cannot allow your mind to even process how tired you are. That's how hard that shit is. I look forward to you doing it. And we gonna talk about it again when you do.

Obviously, man, I want to. We gonna talk about it. One day I'll say, I'll make it valid, obviously. But, you know, but I feel like physicality helps in playoffs. Like, if I'm physical, you know, like, I feel like people who are like players who are less physical tend to struggle a little bit more in the playoffs, especially because you get away with more stuff. So,

I mean, that's a possibility. Absolutely. Playoffs suits your game. Like, you're looking for contact. Playoffs, playoffs suits your game. You're almost one of them players that without contact, you can't like— Yeah, it's weird. You can't really find your rhythm without contact. Like you seek contact. I love that about your game.

That's what I'm saying. I feel like, yeah, contact made me, it got me in rhythm too. You know, hit somebody. For me, it's like, I don't back off from nobody. You know, you're coming in front of me. It doesn't matter if it's you, If it's Steven Adams, like, you know, I've went at players. Like, if I get, you know, if I get bumped or somebody's physical with me, that's fine. Like, I'll take it, but I'm never backing off. You know what I'm saying? That's the only thing I don't do.

I've witnessed it. Did you think the Spurs were going to win once they beat y'all in the playoffs? Did you think they would go on to win it? Like, and especially take down OKC?

I didn't think they're going to win, like, beat OKC. But once I've seen they beat OKC, yeah, I had a feeling they would take it. Although the Knicks squad, low-key, was underrated. Like, if you look at their talent level, defensively, big bodies, shooting-wise, they had a great—

Yeah.

The Spurs. And I knew the Knicks would give them a lot of trouble. I knew it wasn't easy. It wasn't gonna be easy for the Spurs.

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I played with him too, yeah. He's the best.

Absolutely.

Oh,

he's the best. But for you coming from Israel to become an All-Star, like what does that mean to you?

It means a lot. Like, I never knew that a country so small, you know, that where I'm from, when you look at the journey and everything you've been through, coming to a point that you're an All-Star, you know, it wasn't on— it wasn't on my bingo card. I'll be honest with you. Like, it's not that I didn't believe in myself, but when you're coming from a different country, different mindset into the big league. You don't really— I just went day by day. I never thought I would be where I'm at and having the experience, you know, the whole country that loves basketball to see that kid that played for Maccabi growing up into that journey that everybody— I feel like Israel, the whole country is watching every game since I was like, what, 18, 19? And every morning, like, people waking up at like 3, 4 AM and they watch me play and they watching me struggle and they watch me not go scoreless for 10 games straight and they watch me go to the bench and not playing and then start becoming a better player and then overcome all the obstacles to become an All-Star and whoever you thought you're gonna be. It's an unbelievable journey for me first, but obviously for the crowd that is with me because I feel like I do play with the whole country behind me. And being there, especially in rough times nowadays, that you own that stage and everybody's watching you, it's like the best blessing I could have had. And, you know, that's obviously why we play that sport, you know, because it connects people together. So it's awesome.

That's incredible to hear. Because I think for a lot of us, like, like I felt that from Saginaw, Michigan, right? It's a small city in Michigan. You know, like I've felt that love and push from my hometown. But to hear you like, you know, like the entire country wake up and like the entire country is pushing.

I go on the street. That's what I'm saying. I go in the street and people are like, man, you ruined my nights, man. Like I was waking up to work with like eye bags or whatever you call it, like underneath, like I was tired, but you know what, it was worth it. And to hear people say it to you on the street, it's sometimes like it's the best thing you can hear, you know what I'm saying? It's, it's because, because people actually sacrifice from their sleep to go watch you play, you know? And it's just, you know, I can't really have the words to describe it. I wish it would stay forever, but you know, you're only getting older.

That's a fact. That's 1,000% a fact. So what's it like for you when you're back home now? Like you've become an all-star. You got the whole country supporting you when you play a game. What's it like when you walk around like on a normal day in Israel now? Like today for you?

I feel like people show me a lot of love. It's just, Israel is a very small country, so wherever you go, you know, you're kind of on top of each other. There's not a lot of— but I feel like people respect my private space. You know, obviously I have the restaurants I like to go to, the friends I like to hang out with, you know, being with my family and stuff. But everywhere I go, like, you know, stoplights or I'm on the road or I'm in restaurants, people always approach me, shows me love. You know, sometimes, you know, you want your little peace and quiet because you're having a bad day. But people, you know, come over and like obviously make you feel good about what you do. So I'm gonna say, I'm gonna say obviously they like, they love me and they show me a lot of love. But, um, yeah, nothing different than what you experience, I feel like, here. You know, you're probably getting a lot of love. You know how it is, you know, especially when you, you're a winning player and you've done what you've You've done what you've done, but yeah, it's awesome.

Yeah. Okay. You know, the difference for us sometimes though, it's like, obviously I'm here in San Francisco right now. Like I walk outside, yeah, I'm gonna get the love, but you know, it's so many teams, right? And so many players from this place. And so, you know, I may get on a flight, fly 50 minutes to LA and it's a different temperature. You know what I'm saying? To where it's like, oh man, like, They're Lakers fans there. And so you don't necessarily get that same love, but like in

your

space.

But when you're back in Michigan.

Yeah, I get the love in Michigan. Like 50%. University of Michigan fans hate me.

Oh yeah. You got the little rivalry over there.

Absolutely.

I know, you know, I understand that.

Did you have an NBA team that you rooted for growing up? And did you have a favorite player that you were trying to model your game after growing up?

Can I, can I be honest? I think, I think basketball fans will kill me, but, um, I wasn't really watching basketball like that.

Okay. I mean,

I know, I know it's kind of weird.

There's a lot of players, guys from America that doesn't watch basketball in the NBA, by the way. So you're not alone.

No, but I'm saying as a basketball player, like, I feel when I grew up The NBA games were 3 AM, 4 AM. I ain't waking up. I ain't waking up to watch an NBA at 4 AM. Like, I want to sleep, you know? I want to grow up. I have school in the morning. Like, obviously I've watched the top 10 here and there, but I didn't really, I didn't really have the NBA knowledge, the team knowledge, the basketball knowledge that a lot of players have. You know, a lot of times in the locker room, people are talking about, oh, who's your starting 5? Who's the best scorer? Who is this? This, like, you know what I'm saying? I haven't— Seen it. You talking about Rasheed, you know, being one of the most— like, I would not doubt it because I don't know, like, I haven't watched. So it was— it's weird, but I didn't really have somebody that I model my game after. I don't know.

Okay, I respect that.

I like to be myself. I like to be myself. I'll be honest, like, I want to have my own style. Like, don't you want to have your Don't you want kids to be like, oh, I want to be like Draymond?

1,000%.

Exactly. So that's what I, I want to do. That I don't want to copy a step back of somebody else or a jump shot of somebody else. I want to be myself. I want to be me.

You're doing that. I respect that. You know, nothing wrong with that at

all.

Yeah. Give you a couple quick ones before we get out of here. Just some quick—

Can I ask you a question before we—

Of course you can. Hell yeah.

Do you remember Well, I told this story in Israel, but do you remember, I think it was last year or 2 years ago, I hit you pretty hard or something, I forgot. And then you came up to me, you were like, oh, watch next time you go to the rim, watch what happens.

Watch what happens.

You said that you—

I'm like, that's right. You said it, right? Absolutely.

But then I was, every time I drove, I was waiting for that elbow or punch. Or something. And then at the end of the game, I came up to you. I was like, hey, Dre, like, man, I was waiting for you the whole game. I thought you were gonna get me back, man. What you doing?

You know what?

Yeah.

You forgot about me. I know. I just love— I loved your response to it. Like, you know, because I was a little pissed off the way you hit me. When I said it to you, you were just like, yeah, all right, like, what's up? Like, all right. And, you know, I possibly did go on and forget, but I can always respect somebody that like is willing to take it there, you know? Now I will tell you, Denny, some guys I don't get back for a couple years. Some guys, you know, I never— I have the brain of an elephant. So I never forget, you know, sometimes it takes me a couple years to get you back. But you know, you hard right, Denny. So I'm still gonna get you because you laid me out. It's one I'm mad about that I didn't get to get. My young fella from Michigan State, Xavier Tillman, we was playing against the Grizzlies and he laid me out and I told him, I'm gonna get you, X. And he just went overseas so I can't get him. So I'm gonna have to get him one year he come back to Michigan State at Grind Week. But got the mind of an elephant. Yeah. I don't forget, I just sometimes, You know, let it go on.

Okay, man. That's cool. I fuck with it though.

See, and that's the same response that I said. Like, all right, that's cool. I'm like, all right, cool. You know, the way people respond to that, you know, you either respect it or you don't. Like, all right, I can respect that.

100%.

No doubt. Couple quick ones before we get outta here. What's the best game you've ever played NBA or or elsewhere?

Um, let's see Phoenix Suns playing last year.

Oh, that yeah, that was nice. And what a great time to have a great game.

That's what I'm saying. I'm saying that the how important the game was and stuff. I feel like I'm give it to that for sure.

Most fun road city to play in?

New York City.

New York City. The court yeah. Yeah. And I'm sure you get a lot of Israel love in New York City too.

Hey, they they cheer on the Knicks. The same way when when they call my name, I think it like it blows my teammate minds up. It's crazy. Appreciate the appreciate the love there for sure.

That's fire. Strongest player in the league.

Ooh, that's a tough question. Everybody says Stephen Adams, but feel like there is feel like there is strong guys.

I think for me and I've Stephen Adams is strong. Steven Adams is strong as hell. The thing about the strength that Steven Adams has is you mostly feel his strength when he's offensive rebounding. You know, because like—

Yeah.

You know, he's like, when he's posting up, you know what I'm saying? Like, it ain't like he's just plowing over you like Nikola Peković used to, you know? But when he's offensive rebounding, that's when you really feel His strength, you know. But, but I would say for me, uh, current day, I would say Jalen Duren.

That's all.

Jalen Duren. But for me, but you're probably a guard.

No, no, but that's what I'm saying. For me, the, the, the physical, the strong is not the way he, you know, it's the way I feel him or he hits me that I'm like, The strongest, but Jalen Duren, I didn't really like.

I have to battle him, you know, like I have to battle, like, how strong is Dylan Brooks as a wing defender? How strong is Marcus Smart?

I'm gonna say, you know, maybe a surprise one, maybe PJ Washington.

Really?

You know?

Wow.

I'm trying to think, Banchero is pretty strong. I'm trying to think, guys like Bamba.

Paulo's strong as hell.

Yeah, Paulo, I think Paulo is, you gotta have a demeanor too. Is that the right word, a demeanor?

1000%. That's what I'm saying. It's

one thing To be strong, it's another thing to have a strong demeanor as well. Like a guy that really hits and like he doesn't afraid to use his physicality. Yeah,

I like that. Paulo is Paulo strong as hell, and Paulo seek contact like you.

Yeah, yeah,

he's seeking contact.

See, like when you look at me, like you won't say I'm the strongest guy in the league. You know,

until you push your shoulder at somebody.

But that's what I'm saying. But same, but so I'm saying. Like if you see like my physique and stuff, you probably won't say I'm the strongest in the league. But if I hit you like night in and night out, like you'd probably say I'm strong, right?

Yeah, that's a fact.

So I'm gonna say, yeah, I'm gonna say either PJ or Paulo.

I respect that. What's one skill or move another player has that you wish you could steal from them?

Great question. Great question. Wow. If I can go the defense route.

Yeah.

You know?

Absolutely.

I'm gonna give some love to Jrue Holiday. I may be Jrue Holiday defense type of, like be able to guard centers, being in the right place.

But

that's what I'm saying, even off ball, people forget that off ball, like being in the right spots. I feel like maybe that I'm gonna go with that, you know. It's not as sexy as like Luka step back or something.

Yeah,

but I feel like if you have that guard defense, hard nose, puts you on a 2-way, like 2-way player, that's a different—

Drew's lateral movement is elite, probably as elite as anybody in the NBA.

For sure.

Yeah, and it's effortless. A couple more. Toughest cover for you in the league? And that could be in your career, right? That's not somebody you played last year. You know, that could be, you know, somebody who's an old head when you was first coming in the league. It could be somebody last year.

Trying to think who gave me trouble. You know, every time I switch on to Jokic, I'm like, what the hell am I supposed to do? Like, you know, and I'm strong, but this guy is strong and smart and can pass.

And nimble, gonna roll off your body.

And he has this touch, floaters from every angle. Then I'm like, what am I— I think him is the toughest cover because usually I don't guard him one-on-one too.

He is the toughest cover in the league for sure. I mean, that I have to face. Maybe Steph or something, but for me, yeah.

That's what I'm saying. There's no other, like, for me, like, I think it's him.

I respect that. That ain't a bad answer. Hardest defender to score on?

You know, Stephon Castle did a good job.

Really good defender. Fast, strong.

I'm saying, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Really good defender. I like that.

He's good. Although they guarded me, they guarded me, they guarded me as a team, but I, I think like just not backing off every time. I think he's a good defender for sure.

He is. One thought. And then to have Wemby behind you also will give you more confidence. Yeah, for sure.

No, for sure, for sure.

That's definitely a comfortable feeling.

100%.

Last one: five-on-five pickup game with all NBA players. You're the captain. Who's your first pick?

Like, like what right now?

Five-on-five pickup game. You got any all NBA players draft pool. Your first pick as the captain.

Oh, but I'm saying not retired.

Ah, no, not current players right now.

Current players. My first. Pick, man, you're gonna give me in trouble. Like, I'm yeah for sure. I'm gonna say Jokic no. I think so just because he's like a willing passer, you know. Absolutely. I think that's my choice too.

Listen, I I don't I don't think I think that would be just about everyone's choice. Like obviously some people may pick. Some people may pick Steph, you know, but like, I think the consensus would be Joker because if you're starting a team and you need points, he can get you points. You need rebounds, he gets you rebounds. He is one of the best facilitators in the league. And so I think that would be a very common answer of most people.

Yeah, for sure. 100%.

Yeah, that would be my answer. Obviously, you know, I get to play with the great Steph. Look, but Joker is— he, listen,

can't take it away from him for sure.

That, that some of the stuff he do, man, like

he just did one, man, uh, that, that, um, yo,

like,

do you know, I gotta, I gotta ask him that if you really practice those type of things, like,

you know,

that like, that's what I'm asking, like, there's no way That's natural for him to do that. Is it natural for you? You go there in the corner next practice and you make this pass and you tell me if it's natural for you. You can put the whole Golden State Warriors on that same position and just start doing that. And I'm gonna tell you, that's not something that's—

Somebody should duck.

Exactly.

Somebody should duck.

Exactly.

Because, I mean, he threw that with so much precision, man.

I know. Imagine Cam Johnson in the corner. When you get

the pressure to make that shot, oh my God. By the way, that's the first thing I thought about when I saw Cam Johnson. That's the first thing you—

that's the first thing you do.

You have to make that shot or like everybody in the world hate you.

I know.

Oh my God.

Yeah.

Nah, that is crazy, man.

It is.

Denny, man, I can't thank you enough, brother. This has been incredible.

It's been awesome.

Absolutely. I wanna wish you a healthy year. Obviously, I think we play again one more time, right?

Yeah, we're playing versus each other, I think, in the last preseason game.

Absolutely. So I'll see you soon, man. But I really wanna wish you a healthy year. I wanna wish you another great year. Like I said, to know how it feels to come in an NBA and go through an NBA career, And, you know, not think, yo, that's possible for me. And then like all of a sudden, like you start making those leaps and like to reach that, you know, becoming an All-Star and doing those things, like to know that feeling, it brings me great joy when I see other people get the opportunity to experience that feeling. And to watch you on your journey, to listen to your journey and to see the strides that you've taken and to become one of the toughest guards in the NBA. I know the work that goes in to become that. So I just wanna wish you well, a great healthy year. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. And I can't thank you enough, bro. Absolutely.

Thank you. Well, really, it's been awesome. Thank you for having me so much. Appreciate it.

Yes, sir. Anytime, brother. If you're rocking with the Draymond Green Show, be sure to click follow on your favorite podcast app. And while you're there, go ahead and drop a 5-star rating and leave a review. I wanna hear what you think, and it would also mean a ton to me if you share it with a friend that you think would enjoy it. Let's keep this thing growing. The Draymond Green Show is presented by Audacy and executive produced in conjunction with The New Media. Our executive producers are Leah Reese Dennis, Danny Friesinger, and Greg Holtzman. Video production and creative design by Kirk Courtney, Tim Mickle, Lauren Vieira, and Evan O'Brien. Special thanks to the team at The New Media and the team at Audacy. Maura Curran, Josephina Francis, Hillary Shuff, Eric Donnelly, Kate Rose, Colin Gaynor, and Jake Galli.