The Pelicans and Gentry want Anthony Davis to Develop into a 3 pt Shooter

[Greenbean]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13219251/new-orleans-pelicans-coach-alvin-gentry-wants-anthony-davis-shoot-more-3-pointers

This just seems like bad coaching to me. I know the league is moving away from the post in general, but just think of how deadly Anthony Davis is. He is your defensive anchor and can be dominant defensively even against a small ball lineup, meaning his post presence and further development of his inside scoring could vault him to crazy individual and team success the way I see it. Davis allows you to rail against the league trend and still incorporate an inside game into the offense.

Just seems like a bad move. I just hope his game doesnt devolve to jump shooting. Thoughts?

[Who]

Ugh ... not liking this start to Gentry's reign.

[Lucky17]

http://vorped.com/1-nba/2014-2015/player/1381/anthony-davis/shotchart/

It's not like he doesn't show some potential there. Just another foot or two out on the left corner or right wing.

[danglertx]

Dumb.  I want Davis as close to the basket for the most amount of time as possible.

[Moranis]

I don't see the need, but imagine if he even becomes respectable at it.  He would be unstoppable on both ends of the floor.

[D.o.s.]

If he can hit the three at a league average, even if he only takes one of them every other game, that means teams will have to at least consider guarding him up to 25 feet out, which leaves a metric ton of space for his teammates to operate and potentially saves his energy for even more defense.

[max215]

I don't see the NEED for Davis to shoot 3s, but if he could, that would be utterly terrifying.

[Blaze4G]

I actually think this is a good thing. With a 3 pt shot, AD can literally do everything and have ZERO weakness.

If he becomes a legitimate threat from deep, he can pull the opposing team center out of the paint. He could then put the ball on the floor and go to the rim. We should all know by now that AD can dribble and would be able to blow pass most centers.

[celticsclay]

If he manages to add this he could have an even better career than nerlens noel!

[D.o.s.]

If he manages to add this he could have an even better career than nerlens noel!

Lets not get carried away here ok Nerlens Abdul-Hakeem O'Noel is the best center of all time.

[hpantazo]

If he was on the celtics he would have mastered it already!

[celticsclay]

If he manages to add this he could have an even better career than nerlens noel!

Lets not get carried away here ok Nerlens Abdul-Hakeem O'Noel is the best center of all time.

and will be for 15 years

[PhoSita]

It's important for every single player on the floor to have the ability to hit an open three pointer.

That makes it so much easier to run your offense because of the space it provides.

Adding the three pointer to his arsenal doesn't mean AD will suddenly be hanging out on the perimeter.  Even Duncan has taken 3 pointers now and then in his career, though usually late in shot clocks.  It can't hurt to practice that and try to become decent at it.

[Robb]

If he can hit the three at a league average, even if he only takes one of them every other game, that means teams will have to at least consider guarding him up to 25 feet out, which leaves a metric ton of space for his teammates to operate and potentially saves his energy for even more defense.

Agreed. How is this a bad thing for the Pelicans? "League's next biggest star getting better" is bad for the rest of the teams.

[Greenbean]

A couple of you have said there is no harm if he becomes a threat from 3, which I generally agree with. Why not add something to the tool chest.

But reading between the lines, Gentry may want him out there frequently (I know its only a few quotes). He's already planning on him having that shot in his offense building process.

"That's got to become a consistent shot for him," Gentry said

Gentry also said he plans to design plays to capitalize on Davis' increased shooting range next season.

Definitely something to monitor going forward. If he gets the range, I wouldnt be surprised to see his scoring go up, but if his efficiency starts suffering, the rest of the league wins in my opinion.