Defending New Orleans’ Davis is key for Golden State.
Pelicans superstar Davis has game to lead upset of defending champs
The Warriors will face a pretty tall order in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
His name is Anthony Davis, and he stands 6-foot-11. The New Orleans Pelicans’ center is the best player Golden State has faced in this championship era other than LeBron James.
Davis is a bona fide superstar, flourishing in his sixth season. He averaged 28.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per contest this year, shooting 53 percent from the floor. In the playoffs, he’s using his length and athleticism to play even better, scoring 33 and grabbing nearly 12 boards per game. All that, and he’s only 25 years old.
It’s not a question of whether Davis will become a league MVP someday. It’s a question of when.
“Davis is one of the very best players on earth,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said, short and sweet.
Davis leads a confident Pelicans team into this matchup, having just swept the tough Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. New Orleans is well rested and well coached, by former
Warriors associate head coach Alvin Gentry. If Davis can carry his team to an upset of the Warriors, he’ll shoot up to the very highest echelons of the game. That’s a pretty big if, but it’s not impossible.
The Warriors won three of their four regular-season games against the Pelicans — though Davis missed the third of those wins — but he, along with veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, sharpshooting forward Nikola Mirotic and two-way threat Jrue Holiday, could make this team a tough hurdle for Golden State to clear.
Whether or not the injured Stephen Curry takes the court will play a huge role in the outcome. He was upgraded to “questionable” status for Game 1, Saturday night in Oakland. Most people expect him back later in the series.
Davis, who practiced with his teammates at Oracle Arena on Friday, is an unassuming sort. Soft-spoken and introspective, he’s the last guy to tout his own greatness. Instead, he offers team-first analysis sprinkled with quiet confidence.
“We’ve done it in the regular season. And we’ve been in every game, in every loss,” said Davis. “We know we’re a good matchup against these guys. And we have every confidence in ourselves.
“It’s an opportunity to beat the world champs.”
New Orleans has proven they can do just that. Back on April 7, as the Warriors were sleep-walking through the tail end of the regular season, the Pelicans came to town and beat the defending champs 126-120, with Davis scoring 34 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
Is he worried about Curry coming back?
“Whoever plays plays,” said Davis. “Of course, we’re game planning for him playing. But we’re not sure. What’re you going to do? They’re a different team when he plays. We’re game planning like he’s playing. If he’s not, we’ll adjust.”
Golden State’s game plan will center on stopping Davis. But how?
In the past, the Warriors had few answers against a player who can score inside, put the ball on the floor or shoot from the perimeter. Historically, the task of stopping Davis has fallen to Draymond Green, who isn’t afraid to muscle it up with taller opponents. You also can expect to see Kevin Durant, JaVale McGee, Kevon Looney and Andre Iguodala taking turns trying to stop the man called “The Brow,” after his signature unibrow.
It will be interesting to see if the Warriors resort to doubleteaming the Pelicans’ center, a strategy normally rejected by Golden State’s defensive guru, assistant coach Ron Adams. If you do see the Warriors sagging back, that will represent a pretty major capitulation.
Davis appears ready for whatever comes his way.
“Just try to be aggressive,” he said when asked about his strategy against the Warriors. “No matter who they put on me, just try to get to my spots and shoot over the top. Take my time. If they double-team, find the open guy. I’ll see how they play me the first couple of possessions and go from there.”
His coach expects nothing less from his star. When asked what Warriors fans will see from Davis in this series, Gentry chose understatement: “Just a solid guy. Capable of making shots. Great at getting out running. Good defender. Great team guy . ... That’s who he is.”
The Warriors know he’s a lot more than that.