Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 9:08 am Post subject: why is AD so against playing center?
it's not like we're in the era of Shaq, Ewing, Olajuwon and David Robinson. almost all starting centers nowadays are just screen setter, rebounder and mid-range shooters (exact for a few of course). AD is damn 7 feet tall with long wingspan and a good post game, that reeks center to me. AD starting at center would allow Kuz get into the starting lineup, he's a great off the ball player, he will feast on the open looks created by AD and LeBron.
i remember Tim Duncan had the same feeling about this subject.
Joined: 13 Jan 2002 Posts: 7924 Location: Lake Forest
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 9:15 am Post subject:
Boxing out and paint defense as a center is all about banging bodies. It takes a toll even if the other guy has limited skills. For a player that misses games, limiting hard impacts is in everyone's best interest.
I think that's a very good question, and I expect him to play a lot as the biggest man out there for the Lakers, regardless of assigned position. More and more teams are going to a sort of positionless defense, with no true center. On the other hand, I'm delighted we got back JaVale, although I have mixed feelings about Cousins. I think Cousins is a detriment on defense, although of course he'll have his moments as a scorer and passer.
In modern game there is a certain stigma associated with being a “center.”
Those guys seem to be readily available because of the 5 out offenses now. Being a full-time 5 is considered to be someone who plays less than 20 min and just a defensive specialist.
It’s better to be known as a Guard or Wing or even PF.
Imo this plays a role psychologically. The only guys to really embrace it are the slower guys like Jokic and Brook Lopez. Embiid is somewhat of a throwback to Hakeem and the golden age of centers, but that’s rare today.
In modern game there is a certain stigma associated with being a “center.”
Those guys seem to be readily available because of the 5 out offenses now. Being a full-time 5 is considered to be someone who plays less than 20 min and just a defensive specialist.
It’s better to be known as a Guard or Wing or even PF.
Imo this plays a role psychologically. The only guys to really embrace it are the slower guys like Jokic and Brook Lopez. Embiid is somewhat of a throwback to Hakeem and the golden age of centers, but that’s rare today.
Man that’s crazy. Shaq wasn’t THAT long ago. He even still has a large role in the media.
What he really means is I don't want to play center against true centers. He shouldn't have to guard against guys who are 20 to 30lbs heavier than he is.
He grew up as a guard. IIRC he was something like 6'2/6'3 up until his junior year in high school or something. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Not sure where that idea originated from. Can't find much about him saying that anywhere. I don't think it would be wise for him to be a full time 5 but it doesn't sound like it's a big deal for him to play minutes there. From 2017:
Quote:
Anthony Davis, primarily a power forward throughout his NBA career, on the move to playing without a traditional center next to him for a single minute the past three games (all wins): "I try to do whatever I have to do. I don't mind playing the 5 with the small lineup, because I know it's been helping us. Just sacrifice for the team. At the 5 you probably won't get the ball as much, won't score as much, but we're winning so I really don't care."
Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 7846 Location: San Jose, CA
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:31 am Post subject:
ocho wrote:
Not sure where that idea originated from. Can't find much about him saying that anywhere. I don't think it would be wise for him to be a full time 5 but it doesn't sound like it's a big deal for him to play minutes there. From 2017:
Quote:
Anthony Davis, primarily a power forward throughout his NBA career, on the move to playing without a traditional center next to him for a single minute the past three games (all wins): "I try to do whatever I have to do. I don't mind playing the 5 with the small lineup, because I know it's been helping us. Just sacrifice for the team. At the 5 you probably won't get the ball as much, won't score as much, but we're winning so I really don't care."
He said so in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel in 2017:
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144474 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:31 am Post subject:
oldschool32 wrote:
Probably to protect his body.
That’s it, he gets hurt a lot. Not just games he misses due to injury but also the parts of games where he goes to the locker room for treatment. We still have JaVale so if we get 75 games from AD playing on the perimeter instead of 60 playing in the paint, we should accept that. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
Same reason PG13 and Lebron didn’t want to be the greatest power forwards ever. Wear and tear. I’m glad Lebron is moving to point guard. He can run the offense and have someone else guard the opposing point guard. Lebron will most like guard the corner 3 from stretch 4s.
Yup saw that. Very cool. _________________ "Chick lived and breathed Lakers basketball…but he was also fair and objective and called every game the way it was played."
-from Chick: His Unpublished Memoirs and the Memories of Those Who Knew Him
The Centers that might wear down AD are Boogie, Embiid, Jokic and possibly Gobert. Everyone else shouldn’t be an issue and we have one of them already. KAT is a tough cover but he won’t wear you down like the others. Basil doesn’t get enough opportunities and camps out too much like Brook. Nurkic is coming off injury and I wouldn’t worry about him that much.
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