Almost half a season has passed Danny Abdia In the NBA, to be exact, 34 games in the Washington Wizards uniform, and today (Wednesday) the Israeli rookie was interviewed for the team’s new podcast, “Visual”, and told about the premiere season in the best league in the world, adapting to it and what it’s like to play against superstars. “Everything feels crazy,” Abdia said. “Also in terms of the schedule, there is almost no time to breathe. From home to game training. It’s not easy for someone who used to be in Israel a lot at sea with friends. Everything moves very fast, even though it’s kind of a dream. I meet every evening one or the other Allstar, people I never thought I would see. I enjoy every moment. “
So far, the Israeli has met quite a few superstars, such as LeBron James, Damian Lilad and Yannis Antocompo, and shared: “They are on a different level, very smart and read the situations amazing and see how much experience they have. I look at them and say, ‘Walla, too Without coming to be like that. ” I strive every day to learn, get better and when Rocky enters the league and they ask him on a podcast what it’s like to play against Danny Abdia. These are things you aspire to. When you see how good they are and what experience they have, it’s amazing to see. I enjoy being in a locker room with a lot of history and I hope to write some history in Washington as well. “
“I arrived at the place I was aiming for,” the Israeli continued to describe his ambitions. “But I will not say that I came here and that’s it, and I got my money. I have to work harder and I always want to know that at the end of my career and a few more years, I was the best Dane I could be and represented Israel even more. I can win trophies and be a leading player on my team “To write history both for me and for the State of Israel. It constantly crosses my mind that I see these players and want to be one of them. I am very patient and fighting for my place. I went this way at Maccabi and I am ready to go through it in Washington as well.”
Abdia was asked about the experiences of sharing a dressing room with a star like Russell Waterbrook and replied: “He’s a guy, and that’s what makes him special. He’s a special person and you can understand why he’s a Hall of Famer. I have not seen a player who deserves so many games with such motivation, and I I wish that for myself. “
As one who moved from European to American basketball, the Israeli talent shared the differences: “The color is much more open and therefore harder to defend against players who penetrate like with Yannis yesterday. Aggressive defense, so for me those little whistles are annoying.But it’s the NBA, and you have to adjust to the league and not the other way around.I’m starting to understand who I’m playing with, and what everyone is doing well and I take advantage of that to make easy points and score.Once I start I gain momentum with good energies and I get confidence, and a lot is in it during the rookie season, not necessarily throwing 20 shots. “
Unlike quite a few Rockies, Abdia gets support from an entire country, which wants to see him play more: “I understand that, I see in all the reactions of the people and also the friends. How much they cheer and want me to take the ball or throw more, but there are things behind the scenes that do not understand , Like what it’s like to be a rookie in a team that aims for the playoffs, and straight into the field and play that amount of minutes and keep Yannis, Durant and Kyrie, while you also study. I did not have a summer league or a long training camp. I am still in the process of learning and my opportunities “Not many. I get up fall on the good and bad games, so give 100% every game, give as much defense as I can and try to fit in well so the team wins in the end.”
“People are looking at Luka Doncic or Lamello Bull,” Abdia continued. “But how can I complain when a player of choice 10 below me plays in the G-League? I play 20 minutes in the best league in the world. It’s above and beyond the rookie from Europe who just arrived. It’s crazy for me, I have no complaints. People want success like Luca and Amelo’s, but it’s “I will not come right away. One day I will have this role in the team, but in the meantime I am very happy with what is happening with me. It is a different situation, I believe that if Amello had played with two All-Stars in the team his role would have been a little less central.”
In two seasons at Maccabi Tel Aviv, there was quite a bit of pressure on Abdia’s shoulders, and he described the difference from the pressure on the Wizards: “Here are the other pressures, this is still a team that wants to reach the playoffs, only you are not among the main players. “About myself sometimes, because I want to be the best I can. As for the team, we want a playoff and we have a very competitive nature, with people like Westbrook.”
And what about personal life? “I’m at home most of the time, barely going out and sometimes it’s very difficult. You do not have the friends from the country, you do not have the restaurants and the sea. It is not the same and it is not easy. I believe that when everything opens there will be a lot to do so I do not worry. “Well, I wish it was every day. It made me so happy in my heart and gave me a lot of motivation, brought me a smile that I needed and I really enjoyed it.”
