Anthony Davis, the NBA superstar known for his versatility and injury-prone history, has hinted at a preference for playing power forward over center. This desire to avoid the paint's rough-and-tumble has led the Lakers to acquire big men like Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes, hinting at a shift in Davis' role.
However, Lakers coach Darvin Ham seems unfazed by Davis' preference, stating, "I don't get caught up in it." Ham acknowledged Davis' desire to showcase his full skillset, but he emphasized that the team and the player are on the same page regarding his minutes.
Despite Davis' preference, he has primarily played center this season, with Basketball-Reference estimating he's spent 100% of his time on the floor at that position. This includes the 119 minutes he's played alongside Wood, with a mere 12 minutes shared with Hayes.
While the Lakers thrive with Davis as the primary big man, concerns linger about his ability to withstand a full season's workload, given his history of injuries. Davis has missed a staggering 104 regular-season games over the past three seasons, hindering his ability to fully take the reins from LeBron James as the Lakers' undisputed leader.
With James approaching his 39th birthday in December, Davis' production and availability are crucial for the Lakers to have any hope of a deep playoff run. And when the playoffs arrive, don't expect to see Davis venturing far from the center position. After all, he's the team's anchor, the paint-protecting, rim-rattling force that makes the Lakers a formidable opponent.
