Within the first couple hours of NBA free agency, big man Ed Davis agreed to a one-year $4.4 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets. This was a great move for the Nets and a move that both Davis and Brooklyn needed.
Ed Davis to many was known as a good bench asset to the Portland Trail Blazers. The 6-foot-10 big man never got a spotlight in Portland due to the play of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Davis was one of the first free agents to agree to a deal July 1, committing to the Brooklyn Nets.
Yes, Lillard and McCollum are backcourt players, but even some frontcourt players took the spotlight off Davis. Meyers Leonard and Jursuf Nurkic played a lot of minutes last season, leaving Davis on the short end of the stick.
Last season, Davis averaged 5.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in 78 games played. The big man averaged around 18.9 minutes per game, but did not start a single game for the Trail Blazers. Coming off the bench may have fit Portland’s system, but it also limited Davis’ potential.
When the news of Davis’ departure from Portland surfaced on July 1, many Trail Blazers stars were upset that Portland did not re-sign Davis. Arguably, Portland did not have enough cap space to keep Davis. The reason this is arguable is because Brooklyn signed Davis for a cheap amount.
Trail Blazers point guard Lillard was the first to respond to Davis’ departure on Twitter. It is clear to say he was upset by the move.
https://twitter.com/Dame_Lillard/status/1013290887760269312
Shortly after Lillard tweeted his disappointment, McCollum expressed the same feeling about Davis’ departure.
https://twitter.com/CJMcCollum/status/1013296735915999232
It is debatable that the departure of Davis set off worry for the Trail Blazers and their fans, not because Davis is gone, but whether or not Lillard will be on his way out as well.
Early Wednesday morning, Lillard responded to a tweet asking him that if he got traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, would he be happy. He responded to the tweet with an intriguing answer.
I’m typically a happy camper https://t.co/LvFoTwlEFW
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 4, 2018
This not a clear giveaway that Lillard wants out of Portland, but it gives the impression he is thinking about it.
Davis, meanwhile, has his eyes set on an opportunity with Brooklyn. An opportunity he did not get last season with Portland, or for much of his career with the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies or Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis’ new challenge
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There are two main reasons Davis chose to sign with the Brooklyn Nets early in free agency; more minutes and a starting job.
The former Trail Blazer fits very well with Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson’s system. Davis can thrive in a small ball offense. No, he is not a good shooter from 3-point range. In fact, his lone 3-point attempt last season was just the second of his career and his first since Feb. 8, 2012.
But he can gather rebounds and get the ball in the post.
Davis can also be used at the 4 or the 5 position. With the Trail Blazers, Davis played both positions. His size and strength gives him the opportunity to play well at either position on both ends of the floor.
This multi-position option is going to be a huge benefit for the Brooklyn Nets.
Offensive end of the floor
Davis has proven he can be an offensive force. He is a great post-up player who can finish with authority at the rim with either hand.
He is not a shooting big man. His style of play translates to a classic big man. Davis does shoot well from mid-range and with confidence. Last season, Davis shot a career best .582 from mid-range. Throughout his eight-year career, he has been a consistent mid-range shooter.
Despite his mid-range game, his go-to move is his driving. Davis is known to be a load to guard in the post and in transition. He finishes through contact and likes to rack up three-point plays. To go along with his and-one plays, he shot .667 from the line last season.
This will be a huge addition to Brooklyn next season. The Nets need a big offensive presence on the offensive end. Yes, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jarrett Allen are great frontcourt players, but they do not have the aggression Davis shows.
Davis can also work as a great mentor for both Hollis-Jefferson and Allen.
His rebounding game will be very noticeable in Brooklyn. He gives Brooklyn extra play opportunities and put-back points. Rebounding will be Davis’ main contribution to the Nets next season.
Defensive end of the floor
Blue Man Hoop
The Brooklyn Nets had a serious frontcourt defense problem last season. Opposing teams would constantly target the paint. Opposing big men would have great games due to the Nets’ weak frontcourt. Well, that problem just got patched up.
Davis fills that long awaited hole for the Brooklyn Nets on the defensive end; a tough frontcourt defender. As said before, Davis can defend at both power forward and center.
He is a great post defender and does not get into a lot of foul trouble. Davis plays tight defense and hold is ground. To go on top of that, he is a shot blocker who can swat shots and turn them into transition points.
The defensive end is where Brooklyn want Davis to make a big impact. Davis will get a couple touches in the post, but he will have a bigger role on the defensive end.
More Minutes
As said before, Brooklyn will play Davis more than Portland did. Davis is one of the few big men on Brooklyn’s regular season roster and one of the few players who can play multiple positions.
Getting more minutes will be big for Davis. With these extra minutes, Davis can prove himself and show Portland they restricted him from his full potential. Now, Portland did have better players starting over Davis, but they could have utilized Davis a little better.
With more minutes comes the idea of whether or not he can start for Brooklyn.
Starting Job?
Throughout Davis’ eight-year NBA career, he never held a steady starting job. The most starts he ever had in an NBA season was during the 2012-13 season with the Raptors and Grizzlies.
Davis started 24 times in 45 games in Toronto before starting just four of his 36 appearances for Memphis.
Now, if Davis wants a starting position with the Brooklyn Nets, he will have to compete for it. The Nets started DeMarre Carroll at the power forward for the majority of last season. Hollis-Jefferson started at the 3 but has played at power forward as well.
Brooklyn does not have another dominant power forward besides from Carroll and Hollis-Jefferson. Yes, Brooklyn did draft Rodions Kurucs, but he is expected to spend some time in the G-League with the Long Island Nets.
This gives Davis the opportunity to really thrive and get a starting position. It is unlikely he will be a season opener starter for Brooklyn but he can get that job quickly if he fits well.
Brooklyn should consider giving Davis a starting job at the power forward position. It is unlikely Atkinson would start Davis over Allen at center, so the power forward position is the best option.
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This is a good opportunity for Davis to really shine as a basketball player. He has been overlooked throughout his eight years in the NBA and wants to prove he is a starting-caliber big man. Well, there is no better place to prove that than Brooklyn.