After a dominant return from injury, Anthony Davis is making headlines not just for his performance-but for his honest reflections on his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis, who recently joined the Dallas Mavericks, helped guide the team to a narrow 120-118 win over the Atlanta Hawks, putting up a stellar 34 points and 15 rebounds-his best outing yet in a Mavs uniform. But beyond the stat line, it was what Davis said afterward that caught attention.
“Less stress”: Davis thriving at power forward in Dallas
Speaking to reporters after the game, Davis revealed just how much more comfortable he feels in his new role with the Mavericks, where he’s returned to his preferred position at the 4.
“Yeah, it makes my job easier,” Davis explained. “As far as defensively, I’m able to roam and just kind of like the safety, just kind of help everyone all over the floor. Offensively, man, we went ahead and just gaffed and lined right back. Had a lot of passing with one of those guys. So, a lot easier for me, honestly. Less stress. Guarding every pick and roll, being in every pick and roll. It’s good to have one of those guys on the floor with me.”
That “less stress” comment, while subtle, seemed to reflect his long-standing frustration in L.A., where he was frequently deployed as a center-a role he never fully embraced.
According to multiple reports, including from RadarOnline, Jeanie Buss eventually co-signed Davis‘ trade following repeated concerns from the star about his positional usage.
At Dallas, however, Davis is finally being used the way he believes maximizes his impact-playing alongside bigger bodies like Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, and Dereck Lively II, allowing him to avoid banging down low every possession.
Jason Kidd understands the AD advantage at power forward
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd made it clear that playing Davis at the 4 wasn’t just a compromise-it was strategic.
“He has the advantage no matter what four,” Kidd said. “He always has the advantage.”
Kidd‘s point was on full display against the Hawks. At 6’11” and 254 pounds, Davis combines size, strength, and skill that most power forwards simply can’t match.
While he can hold his own at center, his edge is dulled when matched against other true bigs-something Lakers fans saw time and time again.
Nico Harrison, the Mavericks’ GM, may have once called Davis “an All-Defensive center,” but Kidd’s consistent usage of him as a power forward shows the staff has taken AD’s preferences seriously-and it’s paying off.
For now, the experiment is working. But with the postseason looming, matchups could force the Mavs to make adjustments.
Whether that means shifting Davis back to center remains to be seen.
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