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By Anne Erickson
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The Portland Trail Blazers have a lot of young players worth watching, but Deni Avdija really feels like the guy who could decide what this team becomes.
So, yes, he's the x-factor.
Avdija is heading into his third season with Portland after spending the first four years of his NBA career in Washington, and his role with the Blazers has grown into something much bigger than just being another piece in the rotation. He’s become one of the team's most reliable players.
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What makes Avdija so valuable is that he doesn't need everything built around him to make an impact. He can score, create for teammates, defend, rebound and handle the ball when Portland needs someone else to take pressure off its guards. That versatility is huge for a young team.
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The 41-point performance he delivered in the play-in tournament showed the offensive talent is there, but his biggest value comes from the way he affects the game in different ways. Some nights it's the scoring. Other nights it's a big defensive possession, a smart pass or simply making the right play when things start to get wild.
The Blazers have plenty of other players with high ceilings. Donovan Clingan has the size and defensive ability to become a problem around the rim, while Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson are still trying to turn their talent into consistent production. But Avdija is a little different.
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He's already been through the ups and downs of rebuilding. He's played six NBA seasons. He knows what the league demands, and that experience matters when you're surrounded by younger players still figuring things out.
Portland doesn't need Avdija to be something he's not. It needs him to keep doing what he does best.
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