What do you think Monty's plan is for AD?

the way the roster is set up presently, it seems like he is gonna have to play significant minutes at center. I still think that's the plan for him.

i understand why others think he's a PF all the way, but I see Davis playing a lot at C before I see Anderson playing a lot at SF

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, but I see Davis playing a lot at C before I see Anderson playing a lot at SF

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Yeah, Ryno has no business defending most 3's. And I'm not even that worried about AD starting at center, I just need to see him playing it in the final 7-8 minutes. It's fine now, but if we make some moves next offseason to try to get to the playoffs (which should obviously be the plan), then there's a big problem if either Ryno or AD is on the bench in crunch time.

And I understand why Monty is doing what he's doing with the lineups, but I'd like to see AD see a good bit of crunch time play later this season. We already know Ryno is experienced and frequently successful when the game is on the line. AD has only played a handful of non-blowout final mminutes.

ya, i think AD is priority #1 at this point...He should be playing as many minutes as he can handle, imo....should definitely be in at the end of games.

...him getting experience is more important than winning at this point.

I say give more plays, too...get it to him at the high post. He has shown that he can knock down that jumper, and he has been effective the few times he has driven to the goal from that spot.

i think Davis can play C well against majority of the teams in the NBA. He'll have trouble against the Dwight Howard or two, but everyone does. team defense. Even if he only adds a little weight, he can make up for some deficiencies with his length....as has been said a bunch of times on here, traditional position definitions are getting less important.

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.as has been said a bunch of times on here, traditional position definitions are getting less important.

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No doubt, but AD and Ryno being able to play together at the same time is a necessity if they are to remain on the same team. I know depth is a good problem to have, but 2 of your top 3 players at one position isn't "wise" depth if they can't both play ~32 minutes per game successfully.

If you're asking if Davis will ever be a full time center, I think the answer to that is obvious. No

But you don't want him guarding the center's in this league over a long period of time. It keeps him out of foul trouble and keeps the wear-and-tear on his body to a minimum.

Davis should be able to play center in crunch time in due time. Hopefully we will see that ability next year

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but, as a Monty supporter, he should be fired if he plans to make AD a "project" player beyond next season

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absolutely...AD needs to be playing 35 minutes a game from day one next season. I think sooner. If Davis is solely a PF, that leaves 13 minutes a game for Anderson...would have to trade him

I don't find Davis and Anderson compliment each other well anymore now that teams have adjusted. Anderson is usually on the perimeter while Davis is always in the post. While it worked early in the season when Anderson was drawing out bigs in the post, teams have adjusted by rotating a wing on Anderson while Davis has to deal with all the bigs in the post. Davis isn't strong enough or skilled enough to take on strong NBA bigs in the post. Davis best option is to find space around the post and score on quickness and touch or get to the line.

The issue for me here is that Davis needs a guy who can attract attention in the post so he can find the space to work with down low. Think Greg Monroe and Drummond. Drummond is enjoying all the space that Monroe is attracting on the high post. This leaves him open to work in space. The Hornets do not have a guy that can maximize Davis and his game.

Early in the season, Williams gave Davis some opportunities to work the post and it didn't work out well. Davis was too weak to back anyone down and his man usually prevented him from catching the ball down low. And when he gained positioning, he picks up his dribble and lacks the craftiness to gain space off the pivot to find an open man. This results in a turnover due to having his Back to the basket cutting of his vision to find open players. He caught the ball 18 ft away from the basket quite often because he couldn't gain position down low.

If you notice Davis and his game right now, we don't put him In a position to fight for positioning down low and haven't since his early season struggles. I don't expect to see any kind of post game from him this year.

I think they are going to develop him as a face up PF early on and let him gain strength and mass slowly while sprinkling some post offensive in there somewhere. I am certain the team is trying to mold him slowly but surely. Davis at center would be a waste right now as his strengths are clearly at the PF position.

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Well, only 3 PFs are playing 35+ mpg this year.

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shouldn't he be in that company? #1 overall pick franchise player with Duncan/Garnett aspirations.

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I was excited about the Ryno signing, and he's proving to be worth more than what he's getting paid (definitely a top 5 non-rookie deal in the NBA), but I really, really, REALLY wish he were capable of defending SFs. I know he can't get to the basket like many 3's can, but I really think AD will be great at doing that.

The whole thing gets more fricked up if Monty values a guy like Al Jefferson and can get him at what feels like a reasonable price.

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yep...no way we have Jefferson/Lopez/Davis/Anderson.

gotta keep Ryno...too god a player at too good a price

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There was a really nice 3 team trade between NOLA, Minnesota, and the Lakers involving Gasol, Anderson and Pekovic that could've been great for all 3,imo.

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Were we getting Gasol or Pek? I wouldn't even want a healthy Gasol with his age and contract, but Pek would be interesting. Problem is that he's an UFA after this season, so we're essentially trading Ryno for an expiring, which is a terrible idea.