“I think we need another big. I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been a four and having a big out there.” Before the February deadline, Anthony Davis urged the Lakers to acquire a Center so that he could play his preferred power forward position for better productivity. However, instead of hearing his plea, Rob Pelinka shockingly traded The Brow to the Mavs a few days later. But why was AD so reluctant about playing the five? Well, it looks like his injury woes might have been the main reason behind it.

Addressing Davis’ demand on his podcast, Sixers star Paul George said, “His ability to be on the floor with a center, he doesn’t have to take all the contact at the rim which ultimately is taxing on your body. It’s been proven time after time again that he’s getting hurt. Lot of people don’t understand what that does to your body when you’re constantly taking hits.” 

When you play as a center, you take a lot of hits. It’s not rocket science. Sometimes, your body becomes vulnerable and weak after all the years of hits. Now talking about Anthony Davis, he’s an injury-prone player. So, taking hits won’t go well with his body. Thus, he could unleash himself with Gafford at the center – time to return to the PF position.

Well, AD started his career as a power forward but got forced to play as a Center during his last three seasons in LA. That’s because the Lakers lacked a true Center following JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard’s departure. Although Davis continued to perform at a high level, he constantly got injured and missed significant chunks of each season, which might have been the reason behind his unhappiness.

But Davis does not have to worry about it anymore now that he is with the Mavs, as PG stated, “He doesn’t have to take all of this contact now.” Of course, the Dallas franchise remains heavily equipped with elite bigs like Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and Dwight Powell, which means AD can return to playing as a power forward. And George understands exactly how it benefits The Brow.

Paul George reveals Anthony Davis’ offensive and defensive advantage as Power Forward

Now that Davis can play the four again, PG dove into how it helps the big man, “I think it’s from a mismatch standpoint. I think offensively and defensively.” As a Center in LA, AD constantly went up against bigs like Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, which was a lot of work. But as a forward, Davis can utilize his 6’10 frame to his advantage against potentially smaller opponents.

George said, “Most teams play four wings and a Center. With AD being at the four, not a lot of teams can match up and be productive with two Centers on the floor. That’s not what offenses or how coaches are running their offense these days. So, off the rip, he’s gonna have a mismatch at the 4 spot.”

Obviously, it will lead to him getting more tip-ins, more rebounds, and easier shots. And the same goes for the defensive end, “I think if you have a Center at the rim like a Gafford who protects the rim, now AD can kind of roam with that 7-foot plus wingspan, and he can kind of roam around. He can be a shot blocker, he can go rebound, he can be in the passing lanes, and he can make the floor look extremely small.”

Unfortunately, Davis got injured during his Mavs debut and is out for multiple weeks with a left adductor strain. Even Gafford, Lively, and Powell are out with injury. So, the world will have to wait to see the Mavs at full strength and witness how Davis excels in his preferred position.