Anthony Davis details what really upset him during his time at LA Lakers

Davis is built for today’s game. He can defend inside and outside, play the post, shoot from distance, and work well in the pick-and-roll. And when he is healthy, he is often talked about as one of the league’s top defenders.

He has the ability to guard every position, whether it is on the perimeter or inside. But one thing that keeps him from being viewed as an all-time great centre is that he has never truly embraced playing that role.

Throughout his career, Davis has preferred playing power forward. Although he spent significant time at centre for Los Angeles, Davis believes it took a toll on his body over time.

“I played five. And my thing was never about five or four or anything like that. It was about just playing a five the entire game, for the entire season, just a little bit more wear and tear on your body,” he explained on FOX 4.

“I didn’t do that until my second year in LA. The first year we won, it was JaVale and Dwight, and before that in New Orleans I was never the five. I was always the four so it was just different for me playing at five and I just felt like I was better at four.

“Now did I play five at times in LA and New Orleans? Absolutely but for the entire season then I prefer four. Playoffs get its all about matchups what we’re trying to do offensively and if that happens where they get ‘we need you to play at five’ then if that takes us to win.

“But I’ll stress it to [Jason Kidd]. They understand, and I’m putting my trust [in them].”

Anthony Davis responds to questions about added weight

Davis was met with fitness concerns when he arrived at training camp, having put on 15 pounds since his time with the Los Angeles Lakers last summer.

This raised a few questions for the Mavericks, who had already moved on from Doncic partly because of his ongoing fitness issues. But ‘AD’ was not worried, telling reporters that it’s part of his usual routine.

He said: “I feel good….I’m usually like 255, 258. I never want to come in at my playing weight because then I lose weight during the season and then I’m too small. I lose about 10 to 12 pounds very quickly.”

Davis reported to camp at 268 lbs, so losing around ten pounds early in the season would return him to his familiar playing weight from last year.

If he stays heavier than expected, though, the Mavericks may need to face questions about their approach to player conditioning.