Between two Covid colored seasons, the rise of a new generation of stars, and a looming changing of the guard in the NBA, this offseason may be the time for the Lakers to ask Anthony Davis to play small ball center full time.
While Davis at the five might be a delicate subject to discuss right now since his injury susceptibility was a big part of why the Lakers aren’t in the Finals, AD at the five is the ultimate weapon around which the team should build. The Lakers have major decisions to make this offseason. They need to catch up. The competitive landscape has changed. Their reign as champions is over. They’re no longer the favorites. What’s worked may need changing.
The Lakers need to sit down with Anthony Davis and explain to him that it’s crazy for the team not to play him at the five since that’s his best position and since fivesomes with him playing center have been their best lineups. We didn’t win the NBA championship last season playing Anthony Davis at the four. We won because AD dominated at both ends playing the five. For some reason, we seem to have conveniently forgotten the reason we won.
The Lakers should stop accommodating Anthony Davis’ preference to play the four and do what’s best for the team. Here are five reasons the Lakers need to build their offense and defense around AD as a small ball center.
1. AD at Small Ball Center Is the Lakers’ Best Lineup.
Let’s start with the obvious, NBA pundits all agree Anthony Davis’ best position is small ball center and the Los Angeles Lakers’ best lineups are when Anthony Davis plays small ball five rather than power forward.
While Davis prefers to play the four due to concern over his susceptiblity to injuries because of the physicality of playing center, he’s clearly said he has no problem playing the five when needed, especially during the playoffs. Yet the Lakers continue to avoid playing Davis at the five. Last season, he played center 10% during the regular season and 20% in the playoffs, down from 40% in the regular season and 60% in the playoffs the year before.
Rather than continue to accomodate Davis’ preference to play the four, the Lakers should be sit down with him and figure out how they optimize his time as a small ball center while limiting the physicality of playing the five.
2. AD at Small Ball Center Would Modernize the Lakers.
Aside from the lunacy of not playing your best lineup, AD at small ball center would modernize the Lakers both offensively and defensively. Davis is the modern offensive and defensive center the Lakers need to win.
Offensively, Anthony Davis is the perfect modern center. He can dominate in the low post, score at will with midrange jumpers, and stretch the floor and create space for himself and his teammates with his 3-point shooting. Defensively, he can not only protect the rim but has the speed, quickness, and mobility to switch, rotate, and defend smaller players out to the 3-point line. Unlike traditional low post centers, he can’t be played off the floor.
The Lakers need to stop wasting time and resources on short term rent-a-centers who get played off the floor in the playoffs when they already have the league’s best modern offensive and defensive center in Anthony Davis.
3. AD at Small Ball Center Can Be Protected From Physicality.
Once the Lakers commit to AD at small ball center, there are specific moves they can make to enable Davis to avoid overly physical matchups against bully ball centers like Joel Embiid, Deandre Ayton, or Nikola Jokic.
Rather than spinning wheels trying to find a center would be a good fit next to Davis at the four, the Lakers should focus on finding a power forward like Julius Randle or PJ Tucker with the size and mentality to guard big centers. The Lakers should also adjust their defensive schemes to double team and trap bully ball centers to prevent them from overpowering Davis one-on-one, which is the only way to stop superstar centers like Embiid or Jokic.
The answer to concerns about AD getting injured playing the five is to pair him with a bully ball stretch four capable of defending centers and/or give him help in the form of traps and double aganst the tougher matchups.
4. AD at Small Ball Center Simplifies Roster Building Process.
The Lakers need shift their roster building stretegy to focus on players to complement Anthony Davis at small ball five rather than stretch four. They need a bully ball stretch four to go with AD rather than an old school five.
There are more power forwards available who can bang with big bully ball dominating centers like Embiid and Jokic than modern defensive centers like Davis who can’t be played off the floor for slow foot speed and mobility. The Lakers already have a proven candidate in Markieff Morris who played stretch four to AD’s small ball five in the playofffs but should be looking to add more elite 3&D fours like Julius Randle, PJ Tucker, or Jae Crowder.
The NBA is a matchup league and the Lakers need power forwards who can physically bang with bully ball centers to free up Anthony Davis to play the small ball five position and reach his ultimate ceiling as an NBA player.
5. AD at Small Ball Center Is Where the League Is Heading.
The Lakers have spent two years generally ignoring their most lethal lineup in an attempt to live up to the promises they made to recruit Anthony Davis. That decision is like a giant cargo ship that’s hard to stop and turn around.
But that’s exactly what the Lakers need to do at this point in time because we wasted time and opportunities building a roster around the foundation strategy that Anthony Davis was going to play the four and not the five. Whom we drafted, signed in free agency, and traded were all part of that grand plan. Now it’s time for the Lakers to rethink that plan and make AD at small ball five the franchise’s foundation strategy starting this summer.
Anthony Davis will take the baton from LeBron James as the face of the Lakers’ franchise sometime over the next few years. The Lakers need to commit to taking full advantage of his unique skills as a small ball center.
The more I look at the extremely limited minutes Anthony Davis played at the five this season, the more I’m convinced that the Lakers’ front office has talked itself into believing that Anthony Davis should play the four full time going forward with little time at the five. That’s what everything is telling me right now.
AD only played 10% of the time at the five during the last regular season and just 20% in the playoffs, dramatic reductions in minutes at the five compared to 40% and 60% during the Lakers championship season, although some of that was due to injuries.
Then there is the crazy fascination the Lakers have with Andre Drummond, promising him he would get starter role and minutes if he joined the Lakers. Obviously, Drummond was another move by the Lakers designed to accomodate AD’s prefernce to play the four. The rumblings about re-signing Drummond only confirm the Lakers’ position of not wanting Davis to have to play the five anytime.
Frankly, if you look at how dominant the Lakers were in the bubble and how good Anthony Davis was playing small ball five in the playoffs, it’s lunacy that the Lakers have bought into the idea that their best path forward is for AD to play the four and not the five even though it’s his and the team’s best option.
Before they make any big offseason moves, the Lakers need to get their own priorities straightened out. Davis is willing to play the five and the Lakers need to sit down and work out a way he can do that without getting worn out or injured because of the physicality. That’s a problem that can and should be be solved this offseason. It’s the big decision the Lakers need to make.
There you go, Tom. Great analysis. A bruising power forward who can stretch the floor coupled with AD at the five will do the job. However, the task before us now is to gauge the availability of such power forwards. Forwards like Randle will be hard to pry from their teams. I will let Rob work his magic on those things. Also, the problem I sense with AD is both psychological and physical. Psychologically he may be affected by rash of injuries he had to deal with in the past and that may take away an edge from him. Physically, his frame will not handle the rigors of banging down low. That is why having a bruising power forward will help ease that burden.
Thanks, Buba. Anybody who can’t see there is a changing of the guard coming in the NBA both with teams and stars is blink. The last two Covid colored seasons may have accelerated the process rather than holding it back.
I think the Lakers need to decide to play AD at the five and then adjust accordingly. The biggest challenge every team now seems to face is having a center who can protect the rim who can’t be played off the floor. Right now, other than superstars like Embiid and Jokic, who can more than keep pace offensively with anything they give up defensively against a stretch five opponent, there is no center who is the prototype modern offensive AND defensive center other than Anthony Davis. That’s too great a weapon to waste or limit it’s usage.
There are lots of ways to proteck AD from injury while playing the five against overly physical low post centers, including having a bully ball four like PJ Tucker guard the center and doubling and trapping the center to force him to pass. The Lakers cannont continue to leave their biggest weapon at both ends of the court unused or underused. Time to sit down with AD, figure this thing out, and find ways to let AD play his best position and the Lakers go with their best lineups. Once that decision is made, we can then target the players we need to make the AD at small ball center lineups work.
Do I expect the Lakers to do this. Probably not. Based on what we hear, they’re more likely to spend the MLE on re-signing Andre Drummond to be the full-time center so Anthony Davis can play power forward. Not only is this a mistake because they should have AD play the five but also because Drummond is the wrong center if they go that route, He can’t protect the rim, defend the perimeter, finish at the rim, shoot the three ball, or give the Lakers any of the things Davis can.
At worst, if the Lakers want a full-time center, then go for one that can’t be played off the court like Nerlens Noel, who can protect the rim and defend all 5 positions at all 3 levels. He also has vertical gravity on offense that Drummond doesn’t. Just can’t stetch defenses with his 3-point shooting.
I agree.
Here’s the flip side: it’s likely, highly likely, that they have an agreement with both AD and his reps that they will carry a center on the roster for the regular season. Davis, dealing with a serious calf/Achilles injury, will not be re-thinking his declaration of wanting to be a power forward anytime soon. Prior to the injuries we were rolling with the team last season: one of the top records in the Association, top ten offense and defense. So, if the goal is to prevent injuries, the notion he should switch and bang with players like Ayton, Lopez, Howard, The Joker, etc. is flawed. At least, and this is the other major counter point, during the regular season.
I get the logic behind this and it’s the same on the Bucks when you see Giannis at the 5: they go from slow to lethal. Suddenly the entire floor opens up for Giannis to drive to the hole and dish to shooters, the defense needs to be better on the rebounding front because, well, lotta little dudes out there.
AD at the 5 is a playoff weapon, at least for the duration of this contract. I just don’t see a world where he amends that stance unless we’re in danger of missing the playoffs entirely. The man heroed through his injury this season and should not have. He obviously has a strong desire to win and, like many-many-many pro athletes, is determined to do it “his way”. I respect that, mainly because he’s willing to adapt in the playoffs when called upon to do so. The annual “LakerTom calling for AD to man the 5” article changes none of that.
I sometimes wonder why I keep trying when people comment but don’t even read the article in its entirety and then back claiming I want Davis to “switch and bang with players like Ayton, Lopez, Howard, The Joker.” Frankly, that’s pretty insulting.
What I suggested is that we have a backup defensive center like Nerlens Noel or a power forward like PJ Tucker to defend Embiid, Jokic, and Ayton or trap or double him to force the ball out of his hands and prevent him from abusing Davis. Two thirds of the center matchups around the league aren’t any huge burden for AD to guard the center.
You say the Lakers want Davis just to play the five in the playoffs but that’s not what we saw in the playoffs. We saw Davis hardly play any minutes at the five. While he was injured, we saw the same pattern as we saw all regular season, which was Gasol, Harrell, or Drummond played 90% of the minutes compared to just 60% of the minutes by McGee and Howard. That sounds more like a coach and team that doesn’t want to play AD at the five at all. Why else all the talk about re-signing Drummond. All this despite Davis stated over and over he has no problem playing the five when needed.
Frankly, I’m not sure where all the push is coming from. Maybe your glasss half empty crystal ball. Davis continually says he has no problem playing the five but you now claim inside info that it is his camp that it’s “highly likely, that they have an agreement with both AD and his reps that they will carry a center on the roster for the regular season.” That’s breaking new that even Woj and Shams haven’t gotten yet. Thanks for sharing.
Lakers need to wake up because AD should be playing the center. It’s his best position.
AD at the five is the Lakers best lineup. And the Lakers can make roster and matchup moves to prevent playing the five being a higher risk of injury than playing the four. Right now, the Lakers aren’t saying or doing things that tell us they’re going to play AD at the five at all, whether regular season or playoffs. That’s the reality they’re heading into this offseason with which is going to lead to more mistakes trying to find a center so AD can hide at the five.
I read it and agree that we’ll carry a center, lol. He’s not going to play at the 5 in the regular season dude. You wrote this exact article last summer and I think the summer we got AD as well. What has changed in that time? Nothing except Davis is older, more under contract and played even less center than in year 1. Don’t get so riled when people express common sense opinions dude… read the writing in the wall and stop the fantasy. He. Does. Not. Want. To. Play. Center. Bit until a playoff match up calls for it. Same goes fir Giannis. You’re better off searching for the perfect stretch five than knocking on this door over and over.
Oh and Davis was injured on a non-contact play that basically ended his season. Riiiight…that changed, too, Suns in 7, lol.
Sorry didn’t mean to be unfriendly or so prickly. I’m just not sure AD doesn’t want to play the five. Always a thorney subject for me.
I’m also not sure playing the five is a reason AD should get more injured, especially if we avoid dangerous matchups except in the playoffs.
Anyway, I doubt the Lakers are going to change. LOL. Just frustrating knowing we will have to do more to win than we should have.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2845564-lakers-news-anthony-davis-says-he-prefers-to-play-power-forward-over-center
https://nba.nbcsports.com/2019/07/14/anthony-davis-not-even-going-to-sugarcoat-it-anymore-i-like-playing-power-forward-not-center/
This was his introductory media session as a Laker. I’m sure if I gave it a half hearted effort I could find some NOLA quotes, too. The way I read that, and the way the Lakers have operated since trading for him re-affirms in my opinion, is he’s down to win a game or two in the regular season with some minutes at the 5 and the playoffs. These are his words.
Good write up although not particularly revelatory. Everybody knows what it SHOULD be, but like in every other aspect of life..it ain’t necessarily what’s gonna happen. Dude simply doesn’t wanna spend alotta time playing center, especially during the regular season. So that’s the baseline the Lakers FO has to start from.
The crazy part to me is that his recent spate of injuries hasn’t been the result of banging with the big boys. Seems like it’s always from him being on the move driving, slicing, cutting, etc. Hell..he got hurt shooting a fallaway 3 and bumping into the damn scoring table.
Bigger picture is what’s gonna happen when LeBron is gone and AD is thust into the leadership role. No matter where AD plays now, LBJ is gonna make it work because he’s just that kinda force of nature. Without that all time great catalyst on board, I really wonder what we do to avoid turning into the AD-era Pelicans.
That is the max contract question in 2 more seasons.
Good points, Mongo. Not sure where all this no AD at the five is coming from. Is it AD? Or is it what the Lakers think AD wants and are hesitant from demanding anything from him? Is it the coach? Or the PBO? Or a secret agreement like Jamie claims? I’ll bet nobody has had the common sense or balls to sit down and talk to Anthony about playing the five but with adjustments to limit the physicality.
After two years, I think the evidence is pretty clear to anybody who’s watched us play. We’re voluntarily handcuffing our team every night by refusing to play AD at the five. Those who think running it back is going to be enough are sorely misjudging how the bar to win the championship next season has been substantially raised by the Spurs and a new host of championship contenders.
I’d be satisfied if the Lakers would go out and get a legitimate center if they want to play AD at the four but so far they’re 0-5 as far as I am concerned with McGee, Howard, Gasol, Harrell, and Drummond. Get Myles Turner or Nerlens Noel. I’d be fine with one of them but the bungling rent-a-centers we’ve had the last two years can’t cut it and all ended up being played off the court.
Your point about when AD gets injured is also an issue with me because everybody assumes banging with the bigs is the danger. So don’t have AD guard those guys or double and trap them to prevent them from bullying him. They’re ways to limit the physicality and banging down low other than just not playing him there.
Finally, time for AD to get some balls and say I’ll play whereever the team needs me. If he really wants to take the mantle from LeBron, then he needs to be willing to do that and frankly, I think he is but we’re just not asking him to do it. Time to sit down and work this out before it’s too late. Only a couple years at best left in LeBron’s championship window. Let’s not waste them.
I think it’s crazy to assume that all these conversations haven’t already been had numerous times with AD, his management team, LeBron, and within the organization. AD gives lukewarm responses to the media when asked about playing the 5 like “Sure I’ll do it of they need me to”. That ain’t him demanding to take the mantle and frankly I’ve begun to question if he has it in him.
I think the plan all along has been for him to play minimal time at the 5 during the season and then ramp it up for the playoffs. Worked perfectly for the Covid Cup and that’s why I don’t understand all the hate for McGee & Howard..they did exactly what they were brought in to do. These playoffs…not so much but dude was hurt so whatchu gonna do…
Many conversations about role take place outside of media interviews, that doesn’t make them “secret” lol. But AD went one further and said it himself.
I think he should play home games only during the regular season as the small ball 5, sitting out all road games and back-to-backs, with a minutes limit around 35, preferably less. Outside of two healthy seasons in New Orleans, the guys been made of glass. Treat him like Kawhi. Act accordingly.
Thought provoking article, Tom! I enjoyed reading it. I agree with you on the desirability of AD playing 5. But the rub is he doesn’t seem to agree, at least not fully, and not during the regular season.
But I think a happy medium is possible. Convince AD to play 5 half the time 4 the other half. We need to get someone like Dwight Howard to take some pressure off of AD during the regular season. During the playoffs I’d play AD at the 5 80 percent of the time.
Mark Stein is right, in that AD is best at 5 and Bron is best at 4. So the most important task of us this free agency is to get an agile playmaker, like Lonzo. That will certainly unlock a lot of potential. We should be willing to give the Pels anyone but AD & Bron to get Lonzo, who’s a restricted FA. ‘d like us to get Lonzo (even at 22 M), Dwight (on vet min) and a pair of shooters on vet min (like Reddick, Svi).
Thanks for reading and commenting, Dean. Until the Stein news, I’d been like a fisherman pissing into the wind advocating for AD at the five and expressing alarm at the stats showing the Lakers were minimizing rather than expanding AD at the five.
Who knows what the story is? There are so many questions and the supposed answers to them were all before AD won a championship playing the five, his recent injury which didn’t happen playing the five, and the Nets emergence as favorites.
I’m hoping AD has never demanded to not play the five. While he might prefer to play the four because he’s out on the floor more than in the post, would he prefer that over having a better chance to win. AD knows why we won #17.
Stein’s news is such a breath of fresh air that I’m excited about discussing it on tonight’s Lakers Fast Break podcast. Check it out, Dean. The Stein news is one of subjects for tonight after the game.
There’s also the beauty of what LeBron at the 4 and AD at the 5 would have on the Lakers roster building process. It’s also by far our best defensive lineup. The LeBron and Anthony front court defense is so damn fast, quick, and athetlic. And they can dominate you at either end.
The big question is what happens at the three? Might Kuzma suddenly get an opportunity to start? Could that be part of the thinking about playing LeBron and AD up? While I think Kuz gets traded, I wouldn’t be angry if he stayed. In fact, I could see him playing the 3 or 2, where his size would be huge plus.
The second question is do the Lakers get hardcapped. What makes sense to me is part of the strategy behind LeBron at the 4 and AD at the 5 is it’s a way of making the team better by repositioning and optimizing your players. It’s not moving as many pieces, maintaining constinuity, but also saving money.
Lonzo’s such a great fit with Davis and it appears his improved shooting is for real both mechanically via the eye test and statistically but Lowry is a proven champion and matching ages with LeBron might be smarter than with AD for the next couple of years. Of course, the Lakers would like to do both.