Deni Avdija is in the middle of the best season of his NBA career, but the conversation around his rise has often drifted away from basketball, and that’s what’s wearing him down.
As his numbers climb and his role grows in Portland, Avdija has found himself repeatedly dealing with online backlash tied to his Israeli nationality, a situation he says has become draining and frustrating.
“I’m an athlete. I don’t really get into politics, because it’s not my job,” Avdija told The Athletic’s Jason Quick. “I obviously stand for my country, because that’s where I’m from. It’s frustrating to see all the hate. Like, I have a good game or get All-Star votes, and all the comments are people connecting me to politics.
“Like, why can’t I just be a good basketball player? Why does it matter if I’m from Israel, or wherever in the world, or what my race is? Just respect me as a basketball player.”
Avdija didn’t hold back when describing how the constant political commentary affects him, especially when it comes from people he feels don’t fully understand the situation.
“You don’t have to love what I stand for or how I look, but if I’m a good player, give props,” Avdija said. “All this hate … for no reason. Like, I’m deciding things in the world. I’ll be honest: What do people expect me to do? This is my country, where I was born, where I grew up. I love my country; there are a lot of great things about my country. But obviously, not everyone is educated and knows what is going on, and that’s what pisses me off. Because if you are educated and know what is going on, it’s fine to say what you think and say who you think is right or wrong. But if you are not educated and you are not part of the Middle East, and you don’t understand how long this goes back and understand the consequences and everything … just don’t say anything.”
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