Is Anthony Davis now a "DAWG"

when his mechanics break down he starts doing that exaggerated lean back on his shot..I don't really want to call it a fade away but its mess his timing all up. He has to figure that out so he can fall back on it.

Athletic Alchemy

And btw, I don't agree with thinking basketball about AD having the IT factor, at least yet (Harden definitely doesn't :( ). Lebron it seemed took time to develop it halfway, as well as KD. I also think Kawhi has 'IT' but I think that the blown 3-1 lead soured that. I think Kawhi's aura strengthens when his effort is dialed in and makes great plays like in the previous series. But when the effort and magic is gone, the aura dissipates too. I think it actually helped PG for a game, although we now know he's a lost cause. But I think that another aspect as important as the "IT" factor is wisdom, which is why Jordan and Lebron are considered the best players ever, while someone like Russ who has "IT" can't win.

Pirate Ramsay

It's like your KD vs Bron vid, Bron doesn't really have a quick first step like KD, Kyrie, Steph or Harden. He accelerates and moves his feet very well or his age (as well as compared to other players like Kawhi), but you're completely right about his decline in the half court. He literally had NO points in the 2nd half i think. i still remember in a clip where the analyst was pointing out how he was backing out near the half way line in order to barrel past Olynyk in 2017.

Pirate Ramsay

Good catch. It seems like Malone just doesn’t like Porter. Now I’m sure if you could ask him off record, he’d still say something like “I’m hard on him because I like him” but it feels like it’s a extra short leash. Not saying it shouldn’t be.. the kid does seem arrogant. But I agree at some point here just unleash him.

Athletic Alchemy

One interesting thing I noticed in the game was right before porter jr got pulled out of the game. He got beat on a back cut by someone and then the next possession got out rebounded by kuzma and Malone looked super pissed in the background. They put in Dozier I think originally as a statement to porter Jr ... Like you're not seeing any minutes until you can d up a bit or not have mental lapses. After Dozier ended up tossing in a couple buckets I think the nuggets were just like meh let's roll with this. I'd like to see porter Jr stay in for a long while in gm3. He's streaky enough to steal a quarter on his own.

Eric Edelmann

Yeah.. we can tell! Lol I feel like There is kinda no grey area with “it”. But I hear what you are saying, it shouldn’t have to be said. The guys that truly have it. Goes with out saying.

Athletic Alchemy

Forgot about that.. but I think it’s more than that. That would effect his Defense more, and he was moving pretty well on that end. Let’s see how he bounces back..

Athletic Alchemy

To me, it looks like AD is not a "dog", but is rather trying to mimic it. I think I noticed this based on his aftergame interview. He just seemed a little too set on telling everyone that he is "that guy". He has been told so many time that he doesn't have "it" and he is so talented that he has artificially created the "it". This begs the question: is there even a difference if someone naturally has "it" vs. someone who artificially presents "it"?

Sevrin Weiss

Maybe LeBron's lost step is as simple as the sprained ankle he got in game 1.

james v

Its probably also a part of why we have seen more guys looking to team up. I think the AAU culture has robbed some of these guys of ever developing it. Tho you could argue a good part of it is innate.

Athletic Alchemy

Yeah that's well said.. thats why it would be hard for me to say he is the MVP of the Lakers. Replace LeBron with say PG or Kawhi...What does AD look like?

Athletic Alchemy

all the more reason to make quick work of this series.

Athletic Alchemy

He has bit of an arrogant air to him... Im not tuning in to be entrained, but he is smart and informative.

Athletic Alchemy

I'm wonder Alch does the "it" factor actually make you a better player? Because looking at the league now i'd argue the 3 out of 4 of the best players in the league Lebron, KD, and Kawhi don't have "it", the best players with "it" are Steph and Luka but after that, it drops all the way down to Donovan, Ja, and Herro I feel.

Adv

I think with ad he needs someone ti push him to perform. From what i have seen and heard so far from ad and his teammates, he doesn’t have to ave the dog or the it factor in him to be an all time great. What he has right now is enough for him to be great.

Bereket Berhanu

what do u actually think of thinking basketball?

The benefit of the NFL returning is that I can just skip seeing LeBron's face and only check the score at the end

topstreams

People jump to conclusions way to quick lol and I still not betting against Lebron. Whatever LeBron's problem is he will figure out. AD shot was massive!! I still think the Denver can get atleast one game on the Lakers tho.

KendrickTheCreative

The Lebron Father Time argument is very valid. I think what we are learning here is Lebron can really turn it up for a half at a time, but that’s why he went out and needed AD. He can get 20 in his sleep throughout the game, and down the stretch he can take over from all 3 spots on offense (Down low, mid range, 3), while leading the defense on the other end.

Andrew Bouchotte

agreed..I seen dude on twitter killing the Lebron should have had more votes narrative. Using this big shot to say AD is the lakers MVP. Its so much more complicated then that. If you look at the box scores each night yes AD is the Lakers MVP. But if you watched the season play out, they were pretty much a mess with Lebron off the floor. He wore the brunt of the pressure, set the table and established the chemistry and culture...That said..he damn sure looks like he is going to need AD to be the MVP now

Athletic Alchemy

Playing HS basketball is like what? 80 games of basketball if your lucky and really play. But your right in how he feels. Im just on the other end of the spectrum. I think it matters a whole lot, especially at the elite level. Ben is a smart dude, he understands nuance and grey area more than a lot of his followers. Who are out to prove analytics rule all.

Athletic Alchemy

Thanks for saying this, people overreact like crazy, you can't judge a player's character and legacy over ONE game winner. AD has put up monster numbers in every series he's played, the only difference is that now he has a teammate that's better than him AND leads the team. AD's test hasn't come up yet, I don't care if he wins the championship this year or not, he's not the leader and it's not his team. He has to do it as the best player to really establish himself as a top 5 player.

José Francisco

Thanks! When the bubble is over in a few weeks I will do some 9er breakdowns if the season is not a complete wash by then.

Athletic Alchemy

Completely agree with you, Alch. I do have to mention that Ben Taylor (Thinking Basketball guy) did play high school basketball if I'm not mistaken... I think the point he's trying to make is that "dawg" and "it" is not as important as many of us perceive it to be. I don't necessarily agree with him but I think he's trying to say that all 48 minutes count, not just the last 5, and there is a lot of truth in that.

Ezra Abbey

great video Alchemy. Huge fan of all your breakdowns! I’m a warriors and niners fan born in the city. Do you do any niners vids? This season looking real bleak atm.

bayareaglock