He's impressed me. He's quick off the ball, long arms, decent shot blocker. I'm going to say this knowing it's only the second game of the preseason; he should be starting. He's a better anchor than Hill, more athletic, and IMO, would fit better with the starters as a better and more improved deterrent at the rim.
I really like what I've seen from ED so far. No need to start him though. He can fill that energy guy off the bench that JHill had last couple of seasons.
He's been a beast the first 2 games. If he keeps this up, he should definitely be starting over Hill.
No doubt he's playing great and I also love what I'm seeing from him. But you're paying Jordan 9 million a year and I don't think that's to come off the bench. Jordan's been here a while and has worked well with Kobe. I think he'll continue to start for us this year. But, when he isn't effective on the defensive end I'm sure Byron won't hesitate to bring Ed in. Davis has been terrific.
Yeah I actually like him off the bench more anyway. What I love most though is that he and Jordan will end up pushing each other. Jordan had a great block yesterday on Lee. Davis has been swatting shots left and right. I think Jordan will end up working harder knowing there's a fully competent big man right behind him.
I think as time goes on more minds will begin to change on this. Nash, Boozer, and Hill is not the greatest defensive lineup...it will be evidenced as the games come and the season goes along...
You may be right, but Nash, Boozer, Davis isn't that great of a defensive team either. And does it help or hurt more to have Davis start and Hill off the bench? Does having Davis in the starting lineup make the starting lineup better AND the bench team better? I'm not sold. I think Davis and Lin are perfect together off the bench. They've already got good chemistry and they fit together well defensively too. Hill and Kobe are the longest tenured Lakers here and they know how to play together. It's just a better fit all around. Would the defense get better? Yes probably, but I don't think the difference would be big enough to risk chemistry within the team.
I think Hill off the bench is a better fit, Real. I think he's better in spurts and has really found a niche coming off the bench giving us a spark. Jordan is not a starter, IMO. We're depleted at the position, though, and since we're giving him 9 million dollars this year and he's the most tenured Laker, does that mean he deserves to start? For now, probably so, but that will change as the season goes along and Davis proves he's the better fit in that starting lineup, IMO. Davis in this current starting lineup does not make our defense THAT much better; only slightly. The problem is not necessarily with Davis, though. As Scott mix and matches, I think we'll find Lin and Davis getting the majority of the minutes spent on the time floor together as the season progresses and then your most advantageous PG and Center out there to give you the best chance to win games. Add in Randle hopefully developing and earning time by the All-Star Break and that's where I want the majority of minutes to go too; Lin at the 1, Randle at the 4, and Davis at the 5...much more active defensively, a decent rim protector, and while Randle may get lost defensively at times, he's definitely not a liability out there like Boozer. For now, I guess I'll roll with what we have, but I expect it to change or else we'll be giving up 100 points every game just as we did last year...
I just don't agree with you on the rotations. I'm more comfortable having Lin and Davis off the bench together providing two very consistent sparks for us. Add in Young and we'll have maybe one of the best bench unit in the League. Hill in the starting lineup works better off of Kobe. Kobe in the starting lineup needs to be in control of the situation. Hill is the only person on the team that's played more than 20 games alongside Kobe. They need to be together on the floor. Not to mention Hill is a better rebounder than Davis is. More tenacious, works harder to get in position, etc. Kobe is a volume shooter, he needs a rebounder around the rim to pick up the 55% of shots that Kobe is likely to miss. Maybe as the season progresses and Nash gets hurt the conversation changes, but for now they're doing the right thing in the rotations.
That's why I said; for now, I'll roll with what we have; I understand Scott is still tinkering and mixing and matching...it's only the 2nd preseason game. We'll see...
If Davis continues to outplay Hill, he should start. He has a higher ceiling than Hill. And i think Hill is actually better off the bench as a 20 minute, pure energy guy. Basically what he was before this year.
Some of you guys have JHill pegged as a 20mpg energy bench guy but are also assuming Ed Davis can handle starter minutes and play with consistent energy at that level game after game. Maybe, but why?
Davis is one of those talented guys that never got a chance where he was at. I was stoked when the Lakers got him. A steal for the price.
Davis has been by far our best player in the pre-season game thus far but I still sort of think him coming off the bench for now is the best play for our team at this time. Maybe down the line things will change but having that athleticism and shot blocking coming in off the bench is special.
Exactly. If Hill is built for 20 minute a game... then I'd say Davis is too. I don't know that either is perfectly suited to full starter's minutes at the five. Having both of them though is nice.
Davis off the bench is HUGE. If he has to play starter's minutes, he's probably not going to be able to produce like you want. If they split the minutes at 24, we'd be happy with that output, I think.
It's great having a rim protector again! Not that Jordan Hill wasn't a rim protector but Davis is showing a lot more with his length. My friends always told me how they've been rooting for him but how he got put under the ground with how stacked his last team was at the front court.
I like Davis off the bench for 2 reasons. 1st, he has great energy and gives the them type of defensive effort that can compliment fast breaks from those young guns. 2nd, I can't help but overlook that 9 mil price tag Hill has attached to his jersey. That's not to say he can't earn more minutes than Hill...maybe. But as of now, he can help lead the bench mob where Byron can pencil him in to more plays than playing with Kobe and starting cast.
It's a win-win situation for us. If Davis kills it this year the way he has in the pre-season, great for us! I hope both guys have great seasons. You know Mitch put together a much better roster than people outside of this site seem to give him credit for. Granted we're not world-beaters. But considering the contracts we have these guys on right now, he got some real steals. We have some solid young talent and some good veteran talent.
