re: Zach Lowe on the Hornets rest of the year

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. I reject the notion that he and Davis have to log substantial minutes together anyway

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Yep. Unless they find a big better than either one- which is no small task- coaches can stagger their time. They do need to be able to play together some, particularly in crunch time, but that doesnt mean 25 mpg.

Like Lowe says, the key will be how much the team thinks that pairing will work. If they dont believe in it, Ryno needs to be dealt this summer.

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They do need to be able to play together some, particularly in crunch time, but that doesnt mean 25 mpg.

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Oh, I agree with this. I just think we're nowhere near the point where we have to choose between the two and let Anderson go.

No way in hell is Davis being traded. Certainly not during his rookie contract.

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Body wise the Garnett comparison is a good one.

Garnett wasn't a full time center until he was 17 years into his career...

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Ya, he was mostly a PF, but he was a skinny young guy that grew into his body and became a strong player.

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Davis and Anderson are terrible together, its a fact.

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for now...fully grown/experienced Davis two years from now with Anderson could be just what the doctor ordered.

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Ya, he was mostly a PF, but he was a skinny young guy that grew into his body and became a strong player.

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Garnett was so good as a PF because he was a little too light to play C but his size and athleticism allowed him to dominate 4s. Guys like Rasha Nestorovic and Joe Smith took on the centers and Garnett reaped huge benefits. Same with Tim Duncan. Which is why I've been clamoring for a legit 5 to alleviate the pressure on Davis... Make him play against PFs straight up on offense and defense and he will own them. Bring Anderson off the bench and in certain lineups play him w AD. No way you trade Anderson; we suffered through miserable benches for too long. We need a legit scorer off the bench.

Davis isn't going to just all of a sudden bulk up in 2 years. He'll still only be 22

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Garnett was so good as a PF because he was a little too light to play C but his size and athleticism allowed him to dominate 4s. Guys like Rasha Nestorovic and Joe Smith took on the centers and Garnett reaped huge benefits. Same with Tim Duncan. Which is why I've been clamoring for a legit 5 to alleviate the pressure on Davis... Make him play against PFs straight up on offense and defense and he will own them.

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fair enough, but why can't Anderson take on the PFs (and take them away from the paint) and let Davis dominate the centers? Won't Davis' athleticism allow him to dominate 5s as well?

Do you think that if Garnett had started playing C several years before he did that he wouldn't still have been a dominant player?

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Bring Anderson off the bench and in certain lineups play him w AD. No way you trade Anderson; we suffered through miserable benches for too long. We need a legit scorer off the bench.

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I don't want to trade Anderson at all...would definitely rather keep him as a bench player than trade him. My top choice is Anderson as a starter, though.

I agree that a legit scorer off the bench is an important thing for a good team to have. Isn't a guard-ish player that can create for themselves a better option for that role? Anderson is best playing with Vasquez and Gordon--guys that can get him the ball when he's open.

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Davis isn't going to just all of a sudden bulk up in 2 years. He'll still only be 22

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I said that he wouldn't gain very much weight....I said that he could gain a little bit of weight. Also, he can gain a lot of strength and NBA experience (rotations, timing, etc.).

Again, I don't think the team gave Anderson that 4 year, 34M dollar contract to be a bench player. He doesn't really fit the sixth man mold.

It seems to me like more and more teams are going with thinner, more athletic centers. I think Davis fits there. Monty could easily mix up the lineups and get Lopez/Smith in there when facing the rare Dwight Howard's of the world.


JMO

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Won't Davis' athleticism allow him to dominate 5s as well?

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Which athletic characteristics will allow him to succeed?

How many "athletic" 5s similar to Davis are successful in the NBA? Who are the best centers... Brook Lopez, Chandler, Al Jeff, Howard, Marc Gasol, Horford, Cousins, Pekovic, Monroe, Hibbert, Gortat, Asik. Those guys will eat Davis alive. He may have an advantage of being quicker than some, but how far does that get you? Im trying to think of a quick center that has been successful.

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Do you think that if Garnett had started playing C several years before he did that he wouldn't still have been a dominant player?

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He would have been a good player still, but it would not have been as easy. As a center, he would have had to face the likes of Shaq, Mutombo, Zo, Yao, the Admiral, Ben Wallace, Big Z, Brad Miller etc. All of those have the bulk and size advantage over a guy like KG.

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Again, I don't think the team gave Anderson that 4 year, 34M dollar contract to be a bench player. He doesn't really fit the sixth man mold.

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I don't believe in allowing a contract to dictate someone's role. Vasquez's contract is cheap, that doesn't mean he's an automatic bench player. I also don't think their is a specific 6th man role. Just look at the past winners.

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It seems to me like more and more teams are going with thinner, more athletic centers.

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I just don't see it. See above.

Or Marcus Camby

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I guess the question is will he be closer to KG or Tyson Chandler.

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TC is about 3" taller than Davis, has no offensive game and got dumped by multiple teams before he peaked.

I say leave him on the Garnett track. He slowly got stronger, but it took years.

I honestly don't understand all the fuss over getting Anderson into the starting lineup. Davis won't peak until years after Anderson's deal is up. Why are arguing over how to screw with Davis, to fit Anderson in? It should be the exact opposite, and the guys that don't fit should go.

Anderson's a good role player on a championship team. Davis is the guy they hand the trophy to.

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I think he produces enough to earn his money as a 6th man, but that does potentially change the offseason priorities if you need a starting center that rebounds better than Lopez.

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I agree.