The Official Ed Davis Thread 2014-2015

Agreed with Rev. This is exactly what I was hoping for (except didn't want Booz out all game - just off the bench or fewer minutes). As predicted the starting unit played much tighter score-wise with Davis in there instead of Booz. Much improved defensively. Even Wes seemed to pick up his defensive game. Offensively we lost a little offense which was to be expected. But the game was tight all the way through. Of course the added minutes added fouls for Davis who wound up fouling out. He'd have to get more used to that. But in general I thought it was great to have Davis in with the starters. Eventually I think Lin would develop more P and R with Davis as well.

 

Booz did us a big favor last night by getting those early fouls and putting himself on the bench! The starters look SO much better with Davis in there. And then on the opposite end, look at the third quarter with Boozer playing big minutes with the starters - that was the biggest scoring quarter for Memphis.

Bottom line, I just don't like seeing Booz with the starters. He's a nice scoring complement to the second unit, but that's it. That's where he should be played. 20 minutes or so off the bench would be perfect. The starting unit just gets into such big deficits with him in there. It makes for too big a hole to climb out of every game. Davis actually gives us a fighting chance - even against the better teams in the league like Memphis. Our guys are able to play some pretty solid D.

 

I love the way he affects the game. He brings excitement we haven't had on the defensive end in a long time. He's constantly working and brings a great attitude. I think ideally he's a bench guy, but for us he really should be starting.

 

Agreed real. As I posted in another thread, imagine if we had Marc Gasol as a starter, Hill as our starting PF and Davis and Randle off the bench next season. That would be an incredible big man roster.

 

I agree. One more big man that is a consistent scoring/passing threat would help enormously. Marc would be ideal, but I know that's unlikely.

The problem is this summer we're probably at the point where we have to choose between Hill and Davis. Of course, we'll get Randle back too so it's not that bad. I'd love a more solid option at either starting PF or C though. Kundla has a point there.

 

He really does. I think that would be a huge difference maker. I also agree it's looking extremely unlikely to get Gasol who would be ideal. His team is not at the top of the West. If they flamed out again in the playoffs it will be one thing in our favor but if they go far he'll most likely stay.

 

Yeah and last I'd heard Memphis was adamant that they'll pay what they need to for Gasol to stay too. So not only are we dealing with other Free Agent competitors, but Memphis is going to want to hold on too and as long as they're successful, I think they'll keep him.

Other names that are good options though in Free Agency: Robin Lopez, Greg Monroe, Roy Hibbert, DeAndre Jordan (eh?), and Al Jefferson.
Other names in the draft: Jahlil Okafor, Karl Towns, and maybe Willie Cauley-Stein.

If we can grab one of those guys, we're in a good spot.

 

^^ Yeah, as the season progresses I think it's going to be very hard to pry away a guy like Gasol. Like you said, they have made it known they will try to keep him and I think that means a max contract. They'd be stupid not to, frankly as he is the key to their franchise for the near future.

The other guys you mentioned are definitely a tier lower in comparison but all have some strengths. I guess we'll see. I don't want DeAndre Jordan personally. I could see going for any of the others. The good news is I doubt those guys will command max contracts like Gasol undoubtedly will.

 

Al Jefferson is intriguing. I had no idea he was turning 30 this year; because he's been in the league so long I thought he was older. He's an elite big on offense, averaging basically 20/10 for the past seven years or so.

 

I've made it known my preference is Greg Monroe, but there's a few solid names there. a guy like Roy Hibbert might be available for a decent amount after struggling the last couple seasons. He's far from perfect, but you can't teach his height. Not to mention he worked with Kareem this last summer and that's something we can exploit if they have a previous relationship.

Robin Lopez is a solid 7 foot body that's gotten better the last couple of seasons. Not the best player out there, but is very solid and will get you a double-double most nights with a lot of energy and maybe a block with it. He's only getting paid 5 million this season I believe.

 

He's a Center, but Shaqre is hogging the minutes.