There were some eyebrows raised when Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said he wants Anthony Davis to take 6 three-pointers per game, and the 50-year-old has now clarified what message he was actually trying to get across.
“People have been going crazy with that number,” Ham said. “I just think it’s me saying: I want him to be aggressive from all three levels. I don’t want him to think ‘OK, man,’ and second-guess his shot. He catches it and no one’s in front of him or his defender is off of him, I want him shooting the ball from 3.”
Ham made it clear that he doesn’t want Davis to become a stretch big.
“If he happens to be in the corner, he catches it, I want him to shoot the ball from 3,” Ham continued. “While still being aggressive in the low post and the midrange. So, it’s not like I just want him to become this exclusive stretch big all of a sudden. I just want him to be aggressive from each and every spot on the floor.”
That’s what he should have said earlier because it makes sense. He wants Davis to let it fly if the opportunity presents itself. Don’t hesitate and just be aggressive at all times. There were so many games last season where he just didn’t assert himself on the offensive end, and Ham wants that to change.
Stephen A. Smith Had Ridiculed Darvin Ham For His Initial Comments
What made those initial comments from Ham so bizarre is that Davis has really struggled with his outside shot in recent years. This past season, he put up terrific averages of 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game but shot just 25.7% from beyond the arc.
His career averages aren’t a whole lot better, and hence, Stephen A. Smith ridiculed Ham’s suggestion that Davis should shoot 6 three-pointers per game.
“Hell no! Look man, I am a fan of Darvin Ham. Love him. Love the job he’s done as a coach with the Lakers … Anthony Davis, a career three-point percentage of 30%, is the third worst amongst active players with a minimum of 1000 attempts.”
“Only The Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo and DeMar DeRozan who barely, if ever, attempts threes, are worse. And you encouraging this man to shoot six a game? Come on coach, come on! No! I’m not going to side with Darvin Ham on that.”
I don’t always agree with Smith, but he was on point here. It seemed like a terrible idea, but fortunately, Ham didn’t mean it in a literal sense. Hopefully, we see Davis be consistently aggressive this season.
Darvin Ham Hailed Anthony Davis As The Heart And Soul Of The Lakers
Davis really emerged as the most important player for the Lakers last season, as he was the biggest key to success. When he played well, they looked unstoppable, and Ham called Davis the heart and soul of the Lakers.
“I see a level of focus that’s infectious,” Ham said. “He’s been phenomenal. Obviously some of the games he put together during last year, some of the stretches he had, just all around just unbelievable. He’s the heart and soul of our team.”
It’s now time to do it for more than some stretches. Davis has to be the dominant force night in and night out and guide the team to victory. It’s what superstars are supposed to do, and if he does it, the Lakers will soar.
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