After bouncing around the league for much of his career, Ed Davis is hoping for a long-term future in Brooklyn, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Davis is averaging a career-best 8.1 rebounds off the bench as the Nets have gotten off to a 16-19 start after winning just 28 games last season.
“Honestly, no. I didn’t think it was going to pan out like this,” Davis said. “Obviously I’m happy that I am here, but I can’t lie to you. July 1 I didn’t think we were going to be one game out of the eighth spot and play a team [Charlotte] two games in a row that we can definitely move up in the standings on. I couldn’t predict that.”
Brooklyn became Davis’ fifth team in a nine-year NBA career when he agreed to a one-year, $4.4MM contract in free agency. The Raptors drafted him in 2010 and traded him to the Grizzlies three years later. He signed with the Lakers in 2014, then the Trail Blazers in 2015.
At 29, he’s a veteran presence on a young team rising up the East standings and hopes to keep that role for a few more years.
“Obviously I want to be back,” Davis said. “I said that so hopefully it works out in the summer. But my main focus is just try to help this team and make the playoffs. Good things happen when you win and you make the playoffs — that’s just my mindset. And if we do that, everything works out.”
In addition to experience, Davis has brought toughness to the Nets, especially on the boards. He leads the league in offensive rebound percentage at 16.6% and is second in overall rebound percentage at 22.2%. That’s part of the reason former Portland teammates C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard lamented his loss on social media when they learned he was headed to Brooklyn.
“He’s able to [lead] because he’s about the right stuff,” Nets guard Joe Harris said. “He’s had experience in the league, he’s played on good teams and when he says something, everybody holds him in high regard, just because he’s professional, he works hard, he doesn’t ever complain, doesn’t make excuses. Everybody on the team respects him as a player and a person, and what he says carries a lot of weight.”
Well, we’d definitely love to have him back
unfortunately it’s a league built on offense. davis should be able to find a home, but the money may not be what he hopes for.
unfortunately?!?!?
yeh. his game doesn’t coincide with today’s nba
I know Olshey wanted more playing time for Collins but he should have brought back Davis.
He fits in well as the backup center to Allen. if he’s willing to stay in that role there’s no reason Brooklyn can’t bring him back on a 1-2 year deal