Anthony Davis will start for team USA

I can't wait for the second round game between AD and Asik

yep, August 31st. Will probably give us a pretty good game. They were pretty tough in 2010 when we played them in the championship game.

Only bc it matches him up with asik. I never want ad to play that spot again for the pels.

It's cool. I was just super confused because I've never said anything till now about AD at the 5.

It's that bmark guy. I don't get that shite at all

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Davis will end up playing 15-20 MPG at C with Anderson this season

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Especially given the premium on rim protection in the league. I doubt they want to leave Ryno out there with no protector either it being AD or Asik.

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AD is so athletic and long that he can outplay 95% of the centers in the league. Whereas he might only outplay 80% of the PFs or something.

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I don't really disagree with that. Think of Phoenix Amare and his demolition of the NBA. Davis has shown flashes of that type of all around offensive game AND he's a defensive freak.

But at this point, he needs to be protected a bit. Playing him full time there is a mistake. But you play him at the 5 vs backups w/ Anderson and shite will get real at the start of 2nd quarters.

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I forgot, it was "look at his block #s, he's better as a center"

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I'd be curious to see where he gets his blocks. I imagine a healthy portion are away from the rim.

He can become that 'stretch 4' imo. He doesn't have to attempt 6.6 3pt shots a game, but if he has it in his arsenal that'd be all the better.

If he is a threat from mid-range and further, spacing would be better and that would be a better defensive 'end game' unit we can put ouot rather than having ryno on the court (no offense to him of course, he's a bigger liability guarding the 3 or 4 in crunch time)

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I don't feel like that's his natural position or his "end game" for his career.

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Davis is a guy who will be able to anchor a defense. That's what centers do. That he doesn't fit the typical "center" profile is irrelevant.

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I think he fits much better with a defensive 5 next to him

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At this point in his career (both from a physical and mental standpoint) and in this system, yes. But there are a few things pointing the other way especially in the playoffs:

1. The league is continually becoming a perimeter game.

2. It is increasingly harder to play offensive zeroes like Asik in high leverage games. Asik/Davis will work and needs to work over 82 games. In the playoffs though? It will be harder to justify big minutes (see Perkins, Kendrick). Team will exploit Asik's weakness on offense.

3. A new coach that isn't as aggressive as Monty in rotations and PnR defense could be coming as soon as next year. That could mean a drastic change in where Davis is asked to play on defense. If a new staff wants to run ICE/Blue, Davis will have completely different responsibilities. He might even be more effective in that scheme.


As for the 3s, I'm all for Davis having that in his arsenal. But he is more of a 5 than a stretch 4. He controls the paint on offense and defense. The prototype stretch 4s (Dirk, Love, Aldridge) don't do that. He needs to be operating mostly around the lane drawing fouls and destroying interior defenses. He has a jump shot, but he does not have a perimeter game. You park him beyond the line and I think you're wasting his talents. Even Dirk was only taking 3 3PA at his peak. Davis is no Dirk.