There weren’t many like that, and yet, Washington recorded tonight (Monday through Tuesday) one of its best games this season when it defeated Chicago 101: 105. Even before the victory, the main issue that attracted the most attention in the capital was Scott Brooks’ decision not to go up with Danny Abdia in the top five, for the first time in the Israeli’s NBA career.
“I’m trying to get Davis Bartens on board and maybe going up in the top five will do him good,” he explained Brooks, Who saw the Latvian forward finish the game with 4 of 11 off the arc. Speaking before the match, the coach added: “Danny may need to get off the bench. I talked to him and made it clear that this is not something permanent. I told him he was going to be a top five player in this league for a very long time, just not today or in the near future.”
“I try to understand the logic behind this decision and fail,” the group reporter said son From Hitch, Who was not so connected to the idea of opening with Bartens instead of Abdia. “Danny is one of the few players on the roster who can be trusted on defense, and Bartans – no, and he also had a hard time shooting. I don’t understand that.”
At the end of the game Brooks repeated his words, adding: “Danny made my decision just as we thought he would get it. He is a great kid who works hard, he will be a top five player in this league for 12-15 years.”
“You’re going to be a starter in this league for a long time. Just not tonight.”
– Scott Brooks to Deni Avdija after moving him to the bench.
– uQuintonMayo (@RealQuintonMayo) February 8, 2021
Deni Avdija has been one of the only reliable defenders on the roster. Davis Bertans … has not, and his shooting has been troubling.
Scott Brooks just benched Avdija for Bertans.
I mean, go ahead— try to rationalize it. I can not.
– Ben Mehić (@BenMehicNBA) February 9, 2021