Poll: Do You Think Anthony Davis Can Be An Alpha On A Championship Team?

[jpotter33]

He was the alpha in New Orleans and didn't work out. But that's because Demps failed to surround him with talent and it was too late.

He can be the alpha here but he needs an all-star caliber #2 guy/ballhandler, and a #3 guy.

I don't think the issue in New Orleans was a lack of talent at the top of the roster.  Jrue Holiday is a really solid #2/3.  Cousins was very talented before his achilles injury.  Randle is pretty good.


The issue is that the Pelicans never had enough guys to fill out a 8-9 man rotation with NBA-caliber role players.  The complete lack of a supporting cast made it really, really difficult for them to be consistent enough to stay in the playoff running.

Jrue is good, but I really don’t think he’s a solid number two option, maybe a third option.

[PhoSita]

He was the alpha in New Orleans and didn't work out. But that's because Demps failed to surround him with talent and it was too late.

He can be the alpha here but he needs an all-star caliber #2 guy/ballhandler, and a #3 guy.

I don't think the issue in New Orleans was a lack of talent at the top of the roster.  Jrue Holiday is a really solid #2/3.  Cousins was very talented before his achilles injury.  Randle is pretty good.


The issue is that the Pelicans never had enough guys to fill out a 8-9 man rotation with NBA-caliber role players.  The complete lack of a supporting cast made it really, really difficult for them to be consistent enough to stay in the playoff running.

Jrue is good, but I really don’t think he’s a solid number two option, maybe a third option.

I think his value is pretty close to what you see for most #2 guys on good-not-great teams, especially if you take into consideration his defense.

He put up 21-5-7 this year ... that's comparable to CJ McCollum, for example, but Jrue is a major plus as a defender whereas CJ is neutral at best.

[RodyTur10]

He was the alpha in New Orleans and didn't work out. But that's because Demps failed to surround him with talent and it was too late.

He can be the alpha here but he needs an all-star caliber #2 guy/ballhandler, and a #3 guy.

I don't think the issue in New Orleans was a lack of talent at the top of the roster.  Jrue Holiday is a really solid #2/3.  Cousins was very talented before his achilles injury.  Randle is pretty good.


The issue is that the Pelicans never had enough guys to fill out a 8-9 man rotation with NBA-caliber role players.  The complete lack of a supporting cast made it really, really difficult for them to be consistent enough to stay in the playoff running.

Well besides the fact they invested over $40 million in two back up centers in Alexis, Asik, and Solomon Hill might have led to that premise...

The only thing they desperately needed was more consistent shooters, defenders, and an actual wing that didn't suck.

Yeah I mean the simplest way I can put it is that I think Davis + Holiday + 3 average starters & 3-4 average bench guys would be enough for 50-55 wins unless they got slammed by injuries.

I don't. I don't think Jrue is even a top 40 player in the game.

I think the Pels won about as much as they could in an extremely tough Western Conference with the players that franchise surrounded Davis with.

You really mean that? That's a really weird position to take.

To me Holiday belongs in that secondary-option-group. For (shooting) guards: Beal, Oladipo, Holiday, DeRozan, Booker, Thompson, McCollum, Hield

And given his defense and playmaking skills, Holiday would be at the top end of that group. I'd only take Beal (and maybe Oladipo) before him (and Booker if we're talking about multiple seasons).

In fact I think Beal should have made an All-NBA team this year over Westbrook and that it was worth a discussion between Walker and Holiday.

[nickagneta]

He was the alpha in New Orleans and didn't work out. But that's because Demps failed to surround him with talent and it was too late.

He can be the alpha here but he needs an all-star caliber #2 guy/ballhandler, and a #3 guy.

I don't think the issue in New Orleans was a lack of talent at the top of the roster.  Jrue Holiday is a really solid #2/3.  Cousins was very talented before his achilles injury.  Randle is pretty good.


The issue is that the Pelicans never had enough guys to fill out a 8-9 man rotation with NBA-caliber role players.  The complete lack of a supporting cast made it really, really difficult for them to be consistent enough to stay in the playoff running.

Well besides the fact they invested over $40 million in two back up centers in Alexis, Asik, and Solomon Hill might have led to that premise...

The only thing they desperately needed was more consistent shooters, defenders, and an actual wing that didn't suck.

Yeah I mean the simplest way I can put it is that I think Davis + Holiday + 3 average starters & 3-4 average bench guys would be enough for 50-55 wins unless they got slammed by injuries.

I don't. I don't think Jrue is even a top 40 player in the game.

I think the Pels won about as much as they could in an extremely tough Western Conference with the players that franchise surrounded Davis with.

You really mean that? That's a really weird position to take.

To me Holiday belongs in that secondary-option-group. For (shooting) guards: Beal, Holiday, DeRozan, Booker, Thompson, McCollum, Hield

And given his defense and playmaking skills, Holiday would be at the top end of that group. I'd only take Beal before him (and Booker if we're talking about multiple seasons).

Didn't say he wasn't a good SG. I said he wasn't a top 40 player.

I might be off on top 40 but not by much.

[Bobshot]

I said no because, knowing what Davis has done the past few years for NO, he has not made them a championship team.

He has great numbers, but he gets hurt easily and misses games. Not durable.

The other thing is no one player can win a championship. Teams win championships.

Sure a guy can make the difference for a championship on a good team. Bill Russell is the classic example of that. Before Russell, the Celtics were bridesmaids--a great offensive team that never won a championship. And then Russell came along and provided the bigD in the paint they were lacking. They never lost a championship with him, except the time he couldn't play in the finals against the St Louis Hawks due to an ankle sprain.

Could Davis bring a championship to Boston? It depends on how Stevens plays him and what kind of team surrounds him.

Davis can make a difference  for a championship on a good team.

[Moranis]

He was the alpha in New Orleans and didn't work out. But that's because Demps failed to surround him with talent and it was too late.

He can be the alpha here but he needs an all-star caliber #2 guy/ballhandler, and a #3 guy.

I don't think the issue in New Orleans was a lack of talent at the top of the roster.  Jrue Holiday is a really solid #2/3.  Cousins was very talented before his achilles injury.  Randle is pretty good.


The issue is that the Pelicans never had enough guys to fill out a 8-9 man rotation with NBA-caliber role players.  The complete lack of a supporting cast made it really, really difficult for them to be consistent enough to stay in the playoff running.

Well besides the fact they invested over $40 million in two back up centers in Alexis, Asik, and Solomon Hill might have led to that premise...

The only thing they desperately needed was more consistent shooters, defenders, and an actual wing that didn't suck.

Yeah I mean the simplest way I can put it is that I think Davis + Holiday + 3 average starters & 3-4 average bench guys would be enough for 50-55 wins unless they got slammed by injuries.

I don't. I don't think Jrue is even a top 40 player in the game.

I think the Pels won about as much as they could in an extremely tough Western Conference with the players that franchise surrounded Davis with.

You really mean that? That's a really weird position to take.

To me Holiday belongs in that secondary-option-group. For (shooting) guards: Beal, Holiday, DeRozan, Booker, Thompson, McCollum, Hield

And given his defense and playmaking skills, Holiday would be at the top end of that group. I'd only take Beal before him (and Booker if we're talking about multiple seasons).

Didn't say he wasn't a good SG. I said he wasn't a top 40 player.

I might be off on top 40 but not by much.

seems like a crazy statement at first, but then when you think about it, it is probably about accurate (especially if you just assume injured guys like Wall come back into form).

[tazzmaniac]

He was the alpha in New Orleans and didn't work out. But that's because Demps failed to surround him with talent and it was too late.

He can be the alpha here but he needs an all-star caliber #2 guy/ballhandler, and a #3 guy.

I don't think the issue in New Orleans was a lack of talent at the top of the roster.  Jrue Holiday is a really solid #2/3.  Cousins was very talented before his achilles injury.  Randle is pretty good.


The issue is that the Pelicans never had enough guys to fill out a 8-9 man rotation with NBA-caliber role players.  The complete lack of a supporting cast made it really, really difficult for them to be consistent enough to stay in the playoff running.

Well besides the fact they invested over $40 million in two back up centers in Alexis, Asik, and Solomon Hill might have led to that premise...

The only thing they desperately needed was more consistent shooters, defenders, and an actual wing that didn't suck.

Yeah I mean the simplest way I can put it is that I think Davis + Holiday + 3 average starters & 3-4 average bench guys would be enough for 50-55 wins unless they got slammed by injuries.

I don't. I don't think Jrue is even a top 40 player in the game.

I think the Pels won about as much as they could in an extremely tough Western Conference with the players that franchise surrounded Davis with.

You really mean that? That's a really weird position to take.

To me Holiday belongs in that secondary-option-group. For (shooting) guards: Beal, Holiday, DeRozan, Booker, Thompson, McCollum, Hield

And given his defense and playmaking skills, Holiday would be at the top end of that group. I'd only take Beal before him (and Booker if we're talking about multiple seasons).

Didn't say he wasn't a good SG. I said he wasn't a top 40 player.

I might be off on top 40 but not by much.

SI and ESPN ranked Jrue 29th and 26th respectively.  Players voted him #1 underrated. 
He's a rare guard that contributes very positively on offense and defense.  He's versatile as far as playing on or off ball.  He averaged 21.2 pts (25th overall) and 7.7 asts (6th overall) and 1.63 steals (10th).  He's a top 40 player even if you ignore his defense.     

[Celtics4ever]

I think he can be, his performance has really never been the issue right?

[moiso]

Aren't you really just asking whether we should trade for AD without Kyrie re-signing?

Who is the alpha dog on Toronto? Kawhi?  He is the anti-thesis of an alpha dog. He is a great player, but not an alpha.

Kyle Lowry? Maybe, but in terms of grit and grind, not talent. We can find guys like that.

A line up of Al Horford, healthy Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Anthony Davis and [fill in the box] is a championship contender, with or without a so called alpha dog.

Kawhi is without question the alpha on Toronto and he’d be the alpha on most teams.  He doesn’t have to say a word.  He leads by example, is reportedly a Kobe level worker, is super competitive, and carries teams in big games.  All his teammates respect him and if he says anything they listen.  Davis can definitely be the best player on a championship team, I’m not sure of his social situation with teammates.

[action781]

I think only a few NBA players can be the #1 on a championship team under fairly normal circumstances and they are:

-Lebron
-Durant
-Kawhi
-Curry
-Ant Davis

The closest to them I think is James Harden who could have a chance if he has a great team constructed around him all clicking and/or gets some lucky breaks along the way.  Think like 2010 Dirk Nowitzki.

After that there's Paul George, Dame Lillard, and Joel Embiid who could possibly be the best player on a championship team if the team is quite loaded with talent (3+ all-stars and strong surrounding cast) and well coached.  Think like the '08 Celtics or '04 Pistons.

As for the rest of the NBA players, I think they would need to play alongside one of the aforementioned players to win a title aside.  As of right now that is.  Giannis, Jokic, and others are close to eventually cracking into the players who could be a #1 and could as soon as this upcoming season.

[seancally]

I do, and I also supper tradinng for him (depending on the package) if Kyrie walks. PG is the easiest position to fill in this league.

[tazzmaniac]

I think only a few NBA players can be the #1 on a championship team under fairly normal circumstances and they are:

-Lebron
-Durant
-Kawhi
-Curry
-Ant Davis

The closest to them I think is James Harden who could have a chance if he has a great team constructed around him all clicking and/or gets some lucky breaks along the way.  Think like 2010 Dirk Nowitzki.

After that there's Paul George, Dame Lillard, and Joel Embiid who could possibly be the best player on a championship team if the team is quite loaded with talent (3+ all-stars and strong surrounding cast) and well coached.  Think like the '08 Celtics or '04 Pistons.

As for the rest of the NBA players, I think they would need to play alongside one of the aforementioned players to win a title aside.  As of right now that is.  Giannis, Jokic, and others are close to eventually cracking into the players who could be a #1 and could as soon as this upcoming season.

What evidence is there that AD belongs in that top group? 

[Briantir]

I think only a few NBA players can be the #1 on a championship team under fairly normal circumstances and they are:

-Lebron
-Durant
-Kawhi
-Curry
-Ant Davis

The closest to them I think is James Harden who could have a chance if he has a great team constructed around him all clicking and/or gets some lucky breaks along the way.  Think like 2010 Dirk Nowitzki.

After that there's Paul George, Dame Lillard, and Joel Embiid who could possibly be the best player on a championship team if the team is quite loaded with talent (3+ all-stars and strong surrounding cast) and well coached.  Think like the '08 Celtics or '04 Pistons.

As for the rest of the NBA players, I think they would need to play alongside one of the aforementioned players to win a title aside.  As of right now that is.  Giannis, Jokic, and others are close to eventually cracking into the players who could be a #1 and could as soon as this upcoming season.

What evidence is there that AD belongs in that top group?

there is no evidence and AD doesn't belong on that list 3 of those guys are small forwards who can virtually play position-less basket-ball and shoot incredible from the field... And Curry is the greatest shooter ever.

[RodyTur10]

I think only a few NBA players can be the #1 on a championship team under fairly normal circumstances and they are:

-Lebron
-Durant
-Kawhi
-Curry
-Ant Davis

The closest to them I think is James Harden who could have a chance if he has a great team constructed around him all clicking and/or gets some lucky breaks along the way.  Think like 2010 Dirk Nowitzki.

After that there's Paul George, Dame Lillard, and Joel Embiid who could possibly be the best player on a championship team if the team is quite loaded with talent (3+ all-stars and strong surrounding cast) and well coached.  Think like the '08 Celtics or '04 Pistons.

As for the rest of the NBA players, I think they would need to play alongside one of the aforementioned players to win a title aside.  As of right now that is.  Giannis, Jokic, and others are close to eventually cracking into the players who could be a #1 and could as soon as this upcoming season.

What evidence is there that AD belongs in that top group?

Anthony Davis in the playoffs: 13 games (9 vs GS) / 40,8 MPG / 30,5 PPG / 12,7 REB / 59,3 TS%

(the only other player to average 30+ a game is Michael Jordan)

[gouki88]

I think so. The roster construction in New Orleans has sucked. Name one starting wing AD has played with.
Add to that that their coaching is garbage and you have what you have.

AD has dominated in the 13 playoff games he's played, often against top seed competition.