Following a blowout 112-97 loss to the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Lakers big man Anthony Davis is willing to play the center position to give L.A. an advantage over Houston’s small-ball lineup, Yahoo’s Chris Haynes writes.
Davis, mostly a power forward during his career, has previously indicated that he feels more comfortable at the four versus the five position — even though he’s open to playing center.
“I like playing the four, I’m not even going to sugarcoat it. I like playing the four, I don’t really like playing the five,” Davis said at his introductory press conference with the Lakers last fall (per SB Nation).
The Lakers had Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee, the only true centers on the team, play 23 combined minutes at the position during Friday’s Game 1 blowout.
As Game 2 approaches, head coach Frank Vogel said the Lakers would examine the situation and make decisions accordingly, including where to play their All-Star big man.
“We’ll look at the tape and we’ll see what approach we’re going to have for Game 2 and we’ll go from there,” Vogel said.
Idk why a 7 footer has a problem with playing center unless they are trash at defense and can’t board, neither of which is the case with Davis. When the opponent is using a 6,7″ Center you play Davis down low and get easy buckets.
To be fair to Davis, those quotes were from last off-season.
But the Lakers strategy was bizarre for much of game 1. The guy who was guarding AD most of the night was James Harden. Davis should have been constantly dunking the ball and Harden in the basket simultaneously.
Except for the fact that James Harden is one of the hardest low-post defenders to score on in the NBA. That’s not a joke either, it’s true. Look up the stats. Also, when the Rockets were in their half-court defense, the player usually guarding AD was Tucker, who held him to zero made FG’s.
Lakers are not able to pass the ball down low
Anthony Davis was a guard growing up. Just his personality. He wants to play away from the rim.
Durant objects to playing center, even lying about his height to avoid it. His ability to hit the jumper allows him space the floor and avoid spending his entire time in the paint. In a similar light, Davis isn’t your traditional “caveman” center. He can handle the ball and make some nifty passes. Sometimes players just adopt varying styles
starting McGee over howard is insane
You can’t play Howard the first 5 minutes. His foul Tendencies are a problem. It’s better to start McGee and bring an Howard Off the Bench.
Why? McGee was the only player on the Lakers with a positive +/- rating in game one. Howard scored one point in 11 minutes. If anything they should be playing McGee more, but he’s probably too old to handle a bigger workload.
When Howard played center, the Lakers looked bad. But the minutes AD played center, they looked awful. The Rockets were scoring in the paint at will.
Warriors G league team blows out Fully healthy Rockets on Christmas Day
You’ve got to guard the wide open 3 pointers
How exactly were the Rockets fully healthy on Christmas without Eric Gordon in the lineup? And Westbrook was also still recovering from his off-season surgery, so they were far from being fully healthy. In reality, the only team capable of beating a fully healthy Rockets team is themselves.
Should have been playing center from the beginning l!
Playing Center wears you down and Davis doesn’t like it. It’s the grabbing and holding and pushing and constant leaning and pulling. When a shot goes up it’s all of that plus more. I’d rather set a screen and pop out at the foul line extended or 3 pt line then box out centers and power forwards for 30 minutes.
Lebron was a ball hog in the game. harden hits a 3 point shot. With 10 second left in the second quarter LeBron came down the court with the ball and shot it was past the 3 point line. Never tried to pass it to a team mate just wanted the glory for his ego. LeBron needs to stop thinking the lakers are only about him.
If you’re really trying to sit here and say that Bron doesn’t pass the ball because of his ego, you’ve gained all your knowledge of basketball from playing 2k. An absolutely ridiculous idea that Bron isn’t one of the most prolific passers of all time.
He is also the most turnover machine of all time
Trade trade trade Offseason
Trade Kuzma – has declined a lot
Trade Danny Green – quickly gets older
Trade KCP – missing man
Kuzma is trash now
Trade idea
Warriors get Kuzma
Lakers get Jordan Poole and a Second
When you say Kuzma is trash now it’s not the best selling point for a trade.
If Kuzma is trash what does that make Jordan Poole?
The Warriors would take that in a hot second. Kuzma can play. Jordan Poole will hopefully find his jump shot soon. He’s another guy that was supposed to be a shooting guard who can’t shoot so the Warriors are trying at the point. Same thing happened to their first round pick the year before who they traded to Minnesota. Can’t shoot try Him at the point. Jacob Evans.
What makes you think anyone would give up anything for Green or KCP? Neither one is worth a crap. How bout trading Jared Dudley too!
Green makes 15 million…no one wants Green.
Lakers tried to shoot to much three last night they should post up Davis and LeBron more often not many can stop them in the rockets down their . I expect Lakers to be more aggressive second game and win it . I am not a maker fan but they will win this series 4-2 unfortunately.
The Rockets have PJ Tucker and James Harden down there, two of the top low post defenders in the NBA. People who still think that Harden is a terrible defender obviously haven’t watched a Rockets game since 2015.
It does not matter if your good defending Davis and LeBron when the are in the perimeter. If LeBron and Davis d’Ath it deep in the post no one can stop them .
Lakers played into Rockets trap. You can’t play their style. You to play to strengths. I said before series. Only Rockets have shot is Harden Westbrook avg over 30. Well they avg 30. Lakers need to post this team. And work offense from there. AD at center is still bigger than all team. Like Gary, said he don’t reall like playing inside. Well play or go home. Lakers can not get into a shooting contest. That’s what Rockets want. Let Rondo play mins. He will use bigs. Lakers will wake up. Give the Rockets credit they came to play.
Lakers took 38 3PT shots 29%. Rockets took 39 3PT shots 36%. Lakers took 19 FT to Rockets 27.
Both had 41 rebs. That’s nuts. You need to kill them on reb, no second shots. If you get to the middle take it to post. You don’t shoot 8 less FTs. Not a smart gm for Lakers. I hope they are watching Bucks lol.
The Rockets don’t need Harden and Westbrook to score 30 PPG because they have Eric Gordon as their #3 option. The Lakers, on the other hand, have no 3rd option to rely on. That’s why both AD and LeBron will be forced to play 35-45 MPG since no one else on their team is capable of giving them the help needed to win. They don’t have anyone like Robert Covington, PJ Tucker, Danuel House, Jeff Green, or Austin Rivers to take the pressure off their top two players.
Yes- Davis at the 5 , exile Rondo and please someone get Ad a map to where the low post is
I’d play it
1. Alex Caruso
2. Jr Smith
3. Danny Green
4. LeBron James
5. Anthony Davis
Off the bench have Rondo Waiters KCP Kuzma and either McGee or Howard plus maybe give TTH and Dudley some minutes possibly.
Play 3-2 zone defence, trying to force the rockets to the inside. With Green Caruso and JR on the premier you have some decent defence and when they come inside you have Bron and AD who can contest and block shots. Bron playing the 4 near the paint can also cover a PF in the corner like PJ Tucker. Harden will dance around and get inside but that’s when AD and Bron and help. Russ might have a couple blow bus by again there’s help in the paint.
There has to be emphasis on if you get beat on the perimeter, Bron or AD will help cover near the high block which open up the corner so you need to move and cover the corners after you get beat on the arc.
That’s were a Caruso will help cause he’s smart quick and has the IQ to move quickly and help cover in the corner or gets turnovers of kick outs.
Offensively use AD down low and with Bron, JR smith, Caruso and Green you have some shooters if you pass out. Off the bench you need to use Waiters KCP and Kuzmas shooting.
Maybe once harden is out of the game bring in MCGee or Howard knowing Russ will operate the ball and will drive to the rim more. Usually when Harden is out Russ Rivers and or Eric Gordan are on the floor. You can still play 3-2 zone with a centre protecting the rim but will need to be switched on with covering the shooters
I would absolutely love to see them starting JR Smith, but he’s not even a part of their rotation. But they will forced to start AD at center taking McGee out of the rotation in the process. Adding Waiters to the mix would also be great, both he and Smith were awful against the Blazers.
Out of the 26 eligible players this Sunday night Jr Smith is hands down the worst player on both the Rockets and Lakers
I like your Caruso to the starting unit though
Caruso Kcp Green Lbj Brow is how Id roll-
Kuz- Waiters- 1 Big of choice (Mcgee/Howard/Morris) for your 3 Bn players- The rotation does not need to stretch past 8 moving forward
Rondo should’t see more than 10 mins a night ever- I like Rondo but he completely throws the offence out of whack and it has lasting affects imo
I’d agree. I think Rondo seeing some floor time is unavoidable because he’s part of what they got, but I’d try to minimize it as much as possible.