Anthony Davis didn’t have his best game offensively in Team USA’s win over Mexico Saturday, finishing with just four points on 2-of-9 shooting. But he impacted the game, as always, on the defensive end.
Davis’ length and athleticism allow him to be a disruptive defender in usual sets where he picks up ball handlers on the pick-and-roll and forces passes and turnovers.
On this play, though, Davis showed his anticipation by knocking the pass away, picking it up and taking it other way for the dunk. Am I the only one reminded by LeBron James when I watch this?
Let’s break this down. Davis starts the play guarding Mexico center Gustavo Ayon. He is between Ayon and basket when Ayon flares up to the top of the three-point line while the opposing point guard Jorge Gutierrez performs and pick-and-roll with power forward Hector Hernandez setting the screen.
One of the hardest things for big men to defend is pick-and-roll action using both opposing big men out on the perimeter, but Davis sees the pass coming and creates two points all by himself.
His athleticism at the center spot makes him one of the most fearsome defensive centers in the NBA, and playing international ball like this can just be plain unfair sometimes. This is just one more example of Davis’ ceiling and how astronomically high it is.