Danny Abdia’s rookie season kicks off tonight (Wednesday through Thursday) with Washington hosting Philadelphia, and it’s quite a bit of excitement. If excitement is on one hand, questions are on the other, and lots of them. What will Abdia’s numbers look like? What’s his chance of being named one of the Rockies’ top five? How far will Washington go this season? And will he have a nickname at all?
We will only get the answers during the season, but patience has never been our strong side as Israelis, so we turned to people who know how to answer these questions a little better than anyone else. Nine Washington Wizards reporters (properly number 9) answered 11 questions that would prepare us for Abdia’s rookie season in Washington.
Reporters: Fred Katz (Athletic), Alex Flam (WDVM), Glenn Konsor (ex-Maccabi Haifa in the 80s and team commentator), Chase Hughes (NBC), Abba Wallace (Washington Post), Quinton Mayo (NBC), Ben Mahitch (Washington City Piper), Brooks Warren (Sports Falls), Becca Winkert (WizardsXTRA Blog Director).
First of all, what do you like most about Danny Abdia?
Fred Katz: “I was enthusiastic about his dedication.”
Alex Flam: “His character and energy, and together with his talent he can become a star.”
Glenn Consor: “His Competitiveness.”
Chase Hughes: “His speed with the ball in relation to his size. It’s something special.”
Abba Wallace: “His character. When he talks to us at press conferences he is very calm and relaxed.”
Quinton Mayo: “His humble ‘swag’. He knows he’s a piece of a player but he wants to learn from the other players.”
Ben Mahitch: “The speed with which he reads situations on the floor. His IQ is so high.”
Brooks Warren: “His desire to compete and play strong.”
Becca Winkert: “His self-confidence. For Rocky, he looks very relaxed in the NBA. His experience in Israel has helped.”
What does Washington need most from its losses this season?
Fred Katz: “Stability. She needs a small forward who can play at least 25 minutes every night.”
Alex Flam: “Defense. The team has been having a hard time defending for a long time.”
Glenn Consor: “Defense.”
Chase Hughes: “Position 3 Defense.”
Abba Wallace: “Let him be ready to play in any situation. In a short season his experience has even more weight.”
Quinton Mayo: “Let him be and play strong. The team loves him very much.”
Ben Mahitch: “Throw with confidence. If he can score from three, he will be in the top five for a very long time.”
Brooks Warren: “Rebounds and Stable Shooting.”
Becca Wincart: “Be prepared for any challenge, he and Russell Westbrook changed the face of the club. The character has changed.”
What will be Danny’s averages this season?
Fred Katz: 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists every 36 minutes.
Alex Flam: 10 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
Glenn Consor: 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
Chase Hughes: 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Abba Wallace: About 10 points, 6 rebounds and a few assists.
Quinton Mayo: 14 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.
Ben Mahitch: 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
Brooks Warren: 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
Becca Winkert: Hard to say but he will have nice numbers.
What will be his season high and against which team?
Fred Katz: It’s hard for me to say.
Alex Flam: 30 points against the Lakers or Dallas.
Glenn Consor: 25 points against Memphis.
Chase Hughes: 25 points against the New York Knicks.
Abba Wallace: 22 points against New Orleans on Jan. 27.
Quinton Mayo: 26 points against the Chicago Bulls.
Ben Mahich: 25 points from Chicago.
Brooks Warren: 26 points, do not know against whom.
Becca Wincart: 25-30 points against one of the top teams.
Abdia will be named one of the Rockies’ top five this season?
Fred Katz: Yes, to one of them.
Alex Flam: First five.
Glenn Consor: Second quintet.
Chase Hughes: No, because he’ll take fewer shots than the rest of the Rockies.
Abba Wallace: Second Quintet.
Quinton Mayo: First five.
Ben Mahich: First five.
Brooks Warren: Second five.
Becca Winkert: Second quintet.
How many years will he stay in Washington?
Fred Katz: At least 4 years.
Alex Flam: 6-7 years.
Glenn Consor: 7 years.
Chase Hughes: 7 years.
Abba Wallace: 5 years.
Quinton Mayo: At least 6 years.
Ben Mahitch: I hope your whole career.
Brooks Warren: 9 years.
Becca Winkert: 5 years at least.
Abdia will be selected for the All-Star later in her career?
Fred Katz: This is a very high demand. Right now I will say no.
Alex Flam: At least once or twice.
Glenn Consor: Yes.
Chase Hughes: Yes.
Abba Wallace: Why not? The sky is the limit for him.
QUINTON MAYO: Without a doubt.
Ben Mahitch: Yes.
Brooks Warren: Yes, but not with Washington.
Becca Winkert: Yes. Everyone who talked about him praised him.
How will Bradley Bill and Russell Westbrook get along?
Fred Katz: So far it looks good.
Alex Flam: “They want to play together and as long as the team wins they will get along well.”
Glenn Consor: “Perfect.”
Chase Hughes: “Okay, at least in the first year. The test will be when the team has to turn from good to excellent.”
Abba Wallace: “Excellent, on and off the pitch.”
Quinton Mayo: “All right. They’re two of the most underrated players in the league.”
Ben Mahitch: “Wonderful. They complement each other.”
Brooks Warren: “Russell will improve on Bill and make sure he’s an All-Star this year.”
Becca Winkert: “Excellent, both very competitive.”
How far can Washington go this season?
Fred Katz: They will come to the “Play In” tournament.
Alex Flam: 8th place and relegation on the scales in the first round.
Glenn Consor: Reaching the Playoffs.
Chase Hughes: 6th place and relegation in the first round.
Abba Wallace: A place in the “Play In” tournament.
Quinton Mayo: 6th place and East final.
Ben Mahitch: 6th place and relegation in the first round.
Brooks Warren: 45 wins.
Becca Winkert: Place 6-8.
Who will be Abdia’s best friend in the group?
Fred Katz: One of the young actors.
Alex Flam: Roy Hachimura. They are in a special situation where each of them is a superstar in his country.
Glenn Consor: Angel Pascheniks.
Chase Hughes: Isaac Bonga.
Abba Wallace: Cashes Stanley.
Quinton Mayo: Troy Brown Jr..
Ben Mahich: Russell Westbrook. There already seems to be good chemistry between them.
Brooks Warren: Roy Hachimura.
Becca Winkert: Roy Hachimura.
And finally, what should be Danny’s nickname?
Fred Katz: “The Mensch off the bench”.
Alex Flam: “The Mensch off the bench” but if he opens in the top five then “The Zohan”.
Glenn Consor: DA.
Chase Hughes: “Israel Deal.”
Abba Wallace: “The Pride of Israel”.
Quinton Mayo: “Fresh Prince of Tel Aviv”.
Ben Mahitch: “The Kid”
Brooks Warren: DA.
Becca Winkert: “Downtown Deni.”
