As the NBA season kicks into high gear, all eyes are on the Los Angeles Lakers and their star forward, Anthony Davis. Known for his dynamic play in the paint, Davis is now aiming to redefine his role by increasing his volume of 3-point shots, a strategic pivot endorsed by Lakers coach JJ Redick.
During the preseason, Davis ramped up his attempts from beyond the arc, signaling a potential shift in his playing style. Lakers analyst Tim, better known as Cranjis McBasketball from Basketball Index, shared his insights on this development with Jovan Buha on The Athletic’s “Buha’s Block” podcast. According to Tim, “This happening now makes me blindly hope that they’re seeing him put up awesome shooting behind the scenes on much higher volume that we can’t see.”
Anthony Davis: From Dominance in the Paint to Perimeter Shooting?
Historically, Davis has not been known for his 3-point shooting prowess. His best shooting percentage from deep as a Laker was 33.0% during the championship season in 2020. However, the subsequent seasons have seen a noticeable decline, with percentages dipping as low as 18.6%.
Despite these fluctuating stats, the Lakers’ coaching staff believes expanding Davis‘ range could add a new dimension to the team’s offense. “I try not to get too excited about the little glimpses we might see here or there,” Tim stated, tempering expectations yet remaining hopeful about the potential benefits of this strategy.
Critics and fans alike wonder how this shift will affect the team’s dynamics. Tim elaborated on his perspective: “As long as he’s shooting around 30% from three, I’m not going to be the most comfortable with it. This is someone, I think should be dominating the rim all things equal. I’d rather just throw him the ball in the post and let him go to work than have them pick and pop or do different things.”
The Impact on Team Dynamics and Opponent Defense
The debate continues on whether Davis should focus on enhancing his perimeter skills or stick to his roots in the paint. One of the critical arguments in favor of his increased 3-point attempts is the strategic impact it could have on opposing defenses. Tim points out that from a “gravity standpoint,” Davis’ ability to draw defenders away from the basket could significantly disrupt traditional defensive setups, requiring a high volume and success rate to truly be effective.
Anthony Davis: Leadership and Expectations for the Season
Off the court, Davis remains committed to leading by example. In a recent conversation with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, he emphasized his goals for the season: “Being aggressive every time down the floor, being dominant every game,” Davis shared. He aims to take on a pivotal role both defensively and offensively, ensuring that he carries the team through crucial games and deep into the playoffs.
As the Lakers progress through the season, it will be intriguing to watch how this strategic tweak in Davis’ game plays out. Whether this adjustment will translate into a significant advantage in the highly competitive Western Conference remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: Anthony Davis is not shying away from the challenge and is ready to adapt his game to help lead his team to success.
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