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Deni Avdija Is Leading the Trail Blazers Early Season Push | Tiago Splitter’s Path to NBA Head Coach



Deni Avdija Is Leading the Trail Blazers Early Season Push | Tiago Splitter’s Path to NBA Head Coach

Joe Freeman of The Oregonian/OregonLive.com joins the show to check in on the Trail Blazers season after 22 games. We discuss Portland’s split of road games in Toronto and Cleveland, Deni Avdija’s star surge, Toumani Camara’s slump busting shooting, and Tiago Splitter’s path to become the head coach of the Trail Blazers.

Read Joe’s feature story on Splitter: https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2025/11/from-nba-champion-to-blazers-stoic-stabilizer-tiago-splitters-unexpected-coaching-journey.html

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12 Comments

  1. I think toumany is able to do much more offensively if he get the chance – he is much better offensively then you think
    need to play for him a little – allow him to penetrate more let him have the ball a little more, he is very athletic player

  2. Loved having Joe on the show. Hope you can bring him back a few more times throughout the season.

  3. "What Deni's does is pretty impressive"?;No, it's pretty amazing, AND HE KEEPS IMPROVING AS WE SPEAK AND ONLY 24YO:
    ✅ Key stats & performance this season

    Avdija is averaging ≈ 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game this season.

    His shooting efficiency: FG% around 47–48%, and 3P% ≈ 37.8%.

    Among only a few players in the league this season who average 25+ points, 7+ rebounds, and 6+ assists — elite all-around production.

    🌟 Milestones & Standout Games

    He recorded a career-high 14 assists in a game vs. the Raptors (also with 25 points and 8 rebounds), nearly a triple-double.

    In a game vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder he posted 31 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, which counts as his second triple-double of the season.

    That performance made him the second player ever in NBA history to score 30+ points in each of his first four career triple-doubles — joining an extremely exclusive club.

    🏅 Recognition & Reputation Growth

    He was named “Most Improved Player” in the quarterly awards of The Ringer — a sign of how much his game has elevated this season.

    Many analysts/media are now discussing him as a legitimate “go-to” offensive star in his team, not just a supporting player — a major shift for him.

  4. I’m late for Shabbat meal because your podcast is so good!
    Love it.

    It’s amazing how much Deni can take on himself and is game is very difficult to do, when you get into contact and drive so many time in the game (especially when there are 2 people guarding you) it’s hard. And what I can see amazing is that when jrue is not playing so Denni make the assists, when DC didn’t play Denni took also the rebounds. It’s crazy and we are very proud here in Israel that we have denni but I love all the team 🫶🏼

  5. If Shaedon learned to play with the same passion, drive, and consistency as Deni, the Blazers could be dangerous. Toumani and Clingan are nice pieces, but still not sure about Scoot or an aged Lillard for next year. I’m so glad Chauncey is gone, I always said that he cannot coach. Splitter isn’t the answer though..

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