🏀 Maximizing Anthony Davis
🏀 Denver's 3-point shooting
🏀 Kuzma vs. Porter Jr.@anthonyVslater thinks the Lakers' series vs. Denver will be "a bit thornier than expected." Let's explore the matchups, key stats and X-factor players, plus a prediction.https://t.co/sIaRpX5IQZ— The Athletic L.A. (@TheAthleticLA) September 17, 2020
Biggest Lakers question: How much Davis at center?
In the four regular-season games between these teams, Anthony Davis played 150 total minutes. Here’s the quick breakdown of the Lakers’ success within them.
Davis on the court with JaVale McGee: 52 minutes, Nuggets outscored the Lakers by 18
Davis on the court with Dwight Howard: 42 minutes, net zero
Davis on the court with neither: 56 minutes, Lakers outscored the Nuggets by 34
That’s admittedly a small sample, but it still feels pretty telling. The Lakers were 52 points better with Davis at center, as compared to the two-big lineups. Which should come as no surprise. In his career, against better competition, Davis’ teams have traditionally performed better when he slides to center.
Excellent article in the Athletic by Anthony Slater that argues persuasively that the Lakers’ version of small ball with AD at the five and Morris ating the four is the key that makes the series easy for the Lakers. Trying to go big could backfire and give the Nuggets a chance for an upset. As I’ve advocated all playoffs, Lakers need AD to play center. Eight games to go. No time to screw this up or worry about hurting JaVale’s or Dwight’s feelings.
Slater also points out that it’s not just on defense the Lakers need AD at the five. It’s spreading the court so the Nuggets can’t load up the paint against AD and LeBron. That’s why Morris or Kuzma are critical to stretching the defense and creating spacing. Odd as it may seem to old school traditionalists, the Lakers best lineup at both ends of the court is their small ball lineup. Sorry Dwight and JaVale but the next eight games should be Lakers small ball.