The Los Angeles Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Mavericks in the Luka Doncic deal, and Mavericks’ head coach Jason Kidd is learning exactly why the purple and gold were so frustrated. AD wants to play the four, but is significantly more effective at the five. The Mavs are doing exactly what the Lakers did by not granting his wish.
Since returning to the lineup on Nov. 28, Davis has played all of his minutes at the five. It has resulted in two Mavericks wins and a significantly improved offense. Their scoring has been helped by playing Cooper Flagg at his best position and using a point guard, but using Davis in the optimal role has also been crucial.
The Mavericks are on a three-game winning streak to move to 8-15. There are multiple wide-open Play-In spots in the Western Conference. Coach Kidd using Davis in his optimal role makes Dallas a threat to qualify for the postseason. Lakers fans don’t have to worry about a deep playoff run from the Mavs, but just getting there would be massive for their fanbase after the Luka heartbreak.
Jason Kidd is learning Anthony Davis is a center
J-Kidd coached AD during his two years as a Lakers assistant under Frank Vogel. The current Mavericks head coach won a title during his stint in Los Angeles and witnessed up close why Davis is better at the four. Vogel is in Dallas now as an assistant under Kidd. The coaching duo is learning nothing has changed from their days wearing purple and gold.
Dallas has multiple centers that deserve significant run, so it is not easy. The Hall of Fame point guard has selected to maximize his superstar.
The Brow is shooting 35.0 percent from 3-point range so far this season, but Lakers fans know it is not sustainable. He is a career 29.6 percent shooter from long range. It is difficult to play a four that struggles to space the floor next to a non-shooting big man.
Davis is best anchoring the defense at the five and dominating opposing centers on the other end. Getting out to guard AD in the mid-range and beyond is not easy for most bigs. Coach Kidd knows playing the five means exploiting the most advantages. Lakers fans have known that for years, which is why they never acquired a starting center to play next to him.
Davis has struggled to stay healthy since leaving LA, but there is zero questioning his production when he's on the floor. The 6’10 big man averages 20.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 29.8 minutes per game so far this season. He is a superstar and future Hall of Famer.
The Lakers had to trade him to get Luka, but AD’s elite defense, rebounding, and scoring will play a crucial role if Dallas is going to get back into the postseason mix.
The Los Angeles Lakers learned every way to maximize Anthony Davis. He was not happy with some of the adjustments, but AD also thinks he’s best as a power forward. Everyone knows the superstar is wrong. The Dallas Mavericks are finding out that Davis must play center, whether he likes it or not.