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It’s no secret that the Lakers have been at their best over the past two seasons with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the first zone with no traditional crosses on the ground. While Davis has long made it known that he doesn’t prefer playing that position during the regular season – which has led to signings like DeAndre Jordan – he has also shown his willingness to play that position when it counts.
The problem is, the Lakers are by far at their best when he’s down center, which leads to a constant tiptoe battle for Davis to play center at various times while still allowing him to be a attacking for much of the regular season.
The acquisition of Russell Westbrook, however, shifted the debate in favor of Davis playing more center for the partnership to work. In fact, Davis and James themselves have reportedly agreed to play four-and-five next season to ease the transition for Westbrook.
Adding more fuel to this fire was a report released Wednesday by Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. In a conversation with our own Harrison Faigen on the Halftime app, Fischer reported that Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul – agent for both Davis and James – told the league team staff during the draft of the NBA that James and Davis would slide to four and five this season (h / t Lakers Supply / Twitter).
Davis and James taking places in the frontcourt create all kinds of ripple effects. First, it opens up another spot in the starting lineup on the perimeter to provide more spacing, the ultimate goal of starting Davis in the middle. Could Kent Bazemore start at the small striker alongside a keeper like Malik Monk, Kendrick Nunn or Wayne Ellington?
It also shortens playing time at center position for players not named Davis. Dwight Howard appears to be the most likely to be the save center, which could mean fewer minutes for DeAndre Jordan despite Davis recently thanking GM Rob Pelinka for signing him.
Overall, however, that would mean the Lakers’ best roster would be on the court for more minutes during the regular season. That would lead to more wins, in theory, and more minutes together to create chemistry ahead of the playoffs.
While the Lakers have found success turning to the Davis lineups at the center of the 2020 playoffs, having more time together certainly can’t hurt, especially for a roster that has had as much turnover as the Lakers. Lakers this offseason.
Ultimately, all reports could point to something, but until Davis does it game by game or confirms it himself during the preseason, it will continue to be a debate for Lakers fans at work tirelessly as they always have. to do.
Let us know what you think in the comments below, and for more. Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on itunes, Spotify, Stapler Where Google Podcasts. You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
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