Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38340386/why-lakers-no-risk-signing-christian-wood-free-anthony-davis-game
The Los Angeles Lakers made it clear to Anthony Davis this offseason that they would add depth at center so he wouldn’t have to the play the position with as much regularity this offseason, sources tell ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Davis played 99 percent of his minutes at center last season.
With the Lakers adding Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood, there are more lineup possibilities to allow Davis to play power forward.
Davis is going to need to find his 2020 shooting form again in order for him to effectively play PF on this Lakers team.
by UnbiasedNBAFan_
27 Comments
They got him Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood lol
Bro better get ready to play the 5
Edit: Also adding the fact that the Lakers forward rotation is looking crisp this year, I think he’s gonna be playing the 5 alot. Lebron, Vando, Rui, Prince are 4 forwards that clearly deserve playing time in the regular season.
I feel like 99% is technically correct
We hear this same shit every single year lol. Is it even that much more taxing to play center rather than power forward? Lmao.
Actually did a decent job. Hayes is pretty decent. Wood can be a backup. And obviously Rui can play it in small ball lineups.
Just protect Davis for 82 games from them big bois. He can play center in the playoffs.
Jaxon Hayes is not the answer lol bros terrible
Dwight Howard is just waiting to get picked up. Seems like the perfect marriage.
All the great Lakers centers are probably cringing reading this 😂😂 AD is so soft
I think these are good moves. Hopefully they can use these guys to keep AD healthy for the playoffs. They will need the size against Denver and they will need AD at the 5 against Golden State and possibly Phoenix.
Wish I loved something as much as AD hates playing the 5
He’s still gonna play the 5 85% of the time minimum. There are some double big lineups from opposing teams where we may see AD out there at the 4, and there will be the opportunity to punish smaller teams with AD at the 4 and take advantage of size. It’s nice to have as many lineup possibilities and as much versatility at your disposal as possible.
As said by u/walkintall84, Wood is better around the rim than the perimeter and better as a C defensively which can allow AD to roam a little bit, which he wants to do and believes will elevate the Lakers defense. Wood can shoot the 3, so it’s a partnership that can work.
The real issue is AD playing the 4 means Bron starts at SF. His play style is now more geared to a 4. AD says this every year and every year he dominates at the 5 and it helps us even more.
Wood is gonna be better off the bench to backup AD
This man has asked for this every year since like 2014 lol. Its not even a hard request and it has barely ever been met
Rotating Rui, Hayes, and Wood at Center next to AD will be pretty beneficial. I think Rui gets the bulk of the minutes next to AD. Hayes is probably the next guy to get minutes next to AD.
“Lol they got Hayes and Wood” you guys act like there were better options smh
Bruh whats his deal with that??? The modern nba 4 has to be able to shoot the 3 consistently, he’s not that guy. He’s so good, I don’t get why he’s so averse to playing the position that makes sense for him to play? Maybe someone who knows more about basketball can explain things better
So, Wood is the answer? 🤦♂️
They just need someone to play the 5 against certain teams like the Grizzlies for example where he doesn’t have to bang with Steven Adam’s all game lol. But against smaller, more modern teams, he will literally dominate everyone else unless they adjust to a bigger lineup
AD is better at center.
Wood isn’t guarding true 5’s 😭😭😭
This is why I have a hard time taking the “relax we got him on a minimum if he sucks we’ll just waive him” crowd seriously. Minimum or not, this is a very important role for the Lakers.
this dude is delusional
lmao s-o-f-t
Hayes and Wood are not anyone’s solution to the Center and the lakers know it lol
Get ready to play center buddy
I feel like this is a better pickup if Vogel is still coach.
Lineup that works is
PG: Bron
SG: Reaves
SF: Vandy
PF: AD
C: Wood
Wood seems to be a better defender I. The paint rather than having to navigate around the perimeter against quicker 4s and such. AD as a help defender is always nasty kinda like JJJ
Bron can guard the teams slowest player or possibly he and AD can guard the 3s and 4s while Using Vandy as a POA defender against the teams quickest player and AR guarding the teams SG
Issue here being the spacing since Bron is an average 3 shooter , vandy no good, and AD no good
This lineup would be huge Af tho
6’5, 6’8, 6’9, 6’9, 6,10
None of this is going to matter once Castleton claims his starting spot.