Is Anthony Davis a Stretch Four?

[PhilBlackson]

It's just nitpicking the wording of it.

Bottomline...

Can he do what a "stretch 4" does? Absolutely

But people's idea or definition of what is a "stretch 4" is more limited than what AD's game is, he is a far more complete player than their definition of the term, end of story.

[Dupp]

Ideally he should be playing centre

[QLaz]

Why are the Pelicans trying to change that man's game. Davis should be a Kevin Garnett type player. Defense, low post, and a nice mid range game. putting him at the 3 point line takes away from offensive rebounding and 2nd chance pts.

Every 4 in the league does not need to shoot 3's.

[bizil]

For me, Dirk is the gold standard stretch PF. A legit power forward and great pure shooter at 7'0. But he's a great scorer in general as well as we can see by his scoring numbers. And his scoring skillset is as polished as the great perimeter players in the league. So when looking at a stretch PF, I use Dirk as the measuring stick. For a true PF, he' represents what a Bird, KD, or Ray Allen are at their respective positions.. Which is the combo of great shooting and great scoring ability in one. K Love as of late has become more of a stretch PF. Even though he's much more than that. A guy like Ryan Anderson is a stretch PF.

So in comparison to these guys, AD doesn't fit in with that type. What Dirk and Ryan Anderson do best is pure shooting from all over the court. It's what they are known for. AD isn't a pure shooter on that level. Sure from midrange he can get guys out there and do all type of ****. BUT's he not the shooter type a Dirk, Anderson, or Love is. If Davis were to fall more into that mode, it would be more of a Rasheed type of stretch PF. One that could get busy in the post and get u over 100 3's in a season. But Davis has yet to show that type of prowess yet. He can play great away from the basket with his athletic ability, handles, and midrange game. But it's the three ball part that disqualifies him from being a stretch PF.

[bizil]

Why are the Pelicans trying to change that man's game. Davis should be a Kevin Garnett type player. Defense, low post, and a nice mid range game. putting him at the 3 point line takes away from offensive rebounding and 2nd chance pts.

Every 4 in the league does not need to shoot 3's.

RIGHT ON THE DAMN MONEY!! Guys like a Dirk are VERY RARE among PF's. What Dirk did best was being a combo of great shooter-great scorer. Dirk was a pure shooter BUT put up huge scoring numbers. And had a great scoring skillset in general. BUT he could stretch the floor like no other PF before him. So u would be a fool NOT to use Dirk in that regard. Hell Don Nelson tinkered with him as a supersized SF in the late 90's. Back then big lineups were very popular. So guys like KG and Dirk would all play minutes at the SF back then. Hell it was KG's primary position for his first two-three years in the league.

BUT unless can be a bonafide weapon shooting 3's and making over 100 of them on a good percentage, guys shouldn't be forced to be a stretch PF. Davis in many ways is the closest thing to KG. He's a better scorer while KG is a better passer. But his game more suited to a KG type game. Which is being a great two way player who has the versatility to defend big swingmen all the way to centers. And from there, have a very effective inside-outside game that extends to the 20 foot midrange area.

[Scalabrine]

Anthony Davis can stretch the floor, but he's not a stretch four. That's not his calling card. He's a faceup player.

I don't think being elite from downtown is the end-all be-all of being a stretch four, either. Dirk Nowitzki isn't a stretch four. His game is mostly based on operating in the high post.

Who says it has to be their one and only "calling card"

People are saying Pau Gasol and Brook Lopez are stretch 5s now because they have added threes to their repertoire.

I would say DeMarcus is becoming a stretch 5 too.

Cousins shot a higher percentage then Lopez from 3 this year on the same amount of attempts.

[Jaw]

Why are the Pelicans trying to change that man's game. Davis should be a Kevin Garnett type player. Defense, low post, and a nice mid range game. putting him at the 3 point line takes away from offensive rebounding and 2nd chance pts.

Every 4 in the league does not need to shoot 3's.

RIGHT ON THE DAMN MONEY!! Guys like a Dirk are VERY RARE among PF's. What Dirk did best was being a combo of great shooter-great scorer. Dirk was a pure shooter BUT put up huge scoring numbers. And had a great scoring skillset in general. BUT he could stretch the floor like no other PF before him. So u would be a fool NOT to use Dirk in that regard. Hell Don Nelson tinkered with him as a supersized SF in the late 90's. Back then big lineups were very popular. So guys like KG and Dirk would all play minutes at the SF back then. Hell it was KG's primary position for his first two-three years in the league.

BUT unless can be a bonafide weapon shooting 3's and making over 100 of them on a good percentage, guys should be forced to be a stretch PF. Davis in many ways is the closest thing to KG. He's a better scorer while KG is a better passer. But his game more suited to a KG type game. Which is being a great two way player who has the versatility to defend big swingmen all the way to centers. And from there, have a very effective inside-outside game that extends to the 20 foot midrange area.

I agree however 3's are the new craze and with the ridiculous percentages teams are shooting from behind the arc its questionable if teams will be able to compete without having some 3pt shooters (Davis is probably already one of the Pelicans top perimeter shooters and will be important for spacing if guys like Rondo and Allen are going to get lots of minutes on perimeter). I'd love to see Pelicans take a more old-school conventional twin-tower style and see how it fares against the current style. With everyone else heading the opposite direction with smaller players and more perimeter orientated work there is an opportunity for this counter-style to break the league and nobody able to defend Davis and Cousins on the interior and they get high percentage 2s often.

Also, seeing guys like Marc Gasol gaining a 3pt shot seemingly overnight I think Davis although being a 3pt shooter may not be natural or best fit for him he is talented enough to incorporate it in his game.

[Hoopz Afrik]

To me, stretch 4 is a role so no, he's not. He's not a supporting guy. He could be but as it stands he's an offensive focal point. As it stands, Boogie would be more of a stretch-5 in their big man dynamic than AD being a stretch 4.

[bizil]

Why are the Pelicans trying to change that man's game. Davis should be a Kevin Garnett type player. Defense, low post, and a nice mid range game. putting him at the 3 point line takes away from offensive rebounding and 2nd chance pts.

Every 4 in the league does not need to shoot 3's.

RIGHT ON THE DAMN MONEY!! Guys like a Dirk are VERY RARE among PF's. What Dirk did best was being a combo of great shooter-great scorer. Dirk was a pure shooter BUT put up huge scoring numbers. And had a great scoring skillset in general. BUT he could stretch the floor like no other PF before him. So u would be a fool NOT to use Dirk in that regard. Hell Don Nelson tinkered with him as a supersized SF in the late 90's. Back then big lineups were very popular. So guys like KG and Dirk would all play minutes at the SF back then. Hell it was KG's primary position for his first two-three years in the league.

BUT unless can be a bonafide weapon shooting 3's and making over 100 of them on a good percentage, guys should be forced to be a stretch PF. Davis in many ways is the closest thing to KG. He's a better scorer while KG is a better passer. But his game more suited to a KG type game. Which is being a great two way player who has the versatility to defend big swingmen all the way to centers. And from there, have a very effective inside-outside game that extends to the 20 foot midrange area.

I agree however 3's are the new craze and with the ridiculous percentages teams are shooting from behind the arc its questionable if teams will be able to compete without having some 3pt shooters (Davis is probably already one of the Pelicans top perimeter shooters and will be important for spacing if guys like Rondo and Allen are going to get lots of minutes on perimeter). I'd love to see Pelicans take a more old-school conventional twin-tower style and see how it fares against the current style. With everyone else heading the opposite direction with smaller players and more perimeter orientated work there is an opportunity for this counter-style to break the league and nobody able to defend Davis and Cousins on the interior and they get high percentage 2s often.

Also, seeing guys like Marc Gasol gaining a 3pt shot seemingly overnight I think Davis although being a 3pt shooter may not be natural or best fit for him he is talented enough to incorporate it in his game.

Well said! There is nothing wrong with adding new elements to your game. And with the Pelicans, Boogie and AD BOTH have great faceup games for bigs. They have handles, midrange game, and athletic ability that enables them to have great scoring skillsets. So the Pels should use them accordingly to their scoring skillsets. Since both have very effective inside-outside games, they shouldn't get in the way of each other. I just want AD to gradually add new tricks to his arsenal. And not have it force fed at the expense of the other great things he does.

[bizil]

To me, stretch 4 is a role so no, he's not. He's not a supporting guy. He could be but as it stands he's an offensive focal point. As it stands, Boogie would be more of a stretch-5 in their big man dynamic than AD being a stretch 4.

Great points! U have guys like Dirk who have the ability to be a dominant stretch PF. But Dirk was a devastating scorer in general so calling somebody like Dirk merely a stretch PF can be limiting. I guess it depends on the context its used. And Boogie is MUCH MORE of threat from downtown than AD at this point. So That's why I think offensively, they won't step on each others toes. Other than the three ball, AD is very good to great at midrange, slashing to the rack, and postups. Plus he's a freak athlete who can overpower defenses that way too. They should be able to interchange inside-outside in a great manner.

[og15]

Seems like the question you are asking is more in tune of "does AD stretch the floor", and I would say yes, he does even though he's not much of a 3PT shooter, but you have to contend with his presence on the perimeter.

Now a lot of people seem to be focused on the term stretch 4 and how it's used more for offensive role player big men, but that full question is talking about ability, not role, so I'm not concerned about that, we all know he's not a role player.

[dhsilv2]

No. He is a suoerstar who draws double teams. Hell was MJ a stretch 2? I guess all point guards are stretch 1s? Can we use stretch with fans who hit half court shots for cars?

[dhsilv2]

To me, stretch 4 is a role so no, he's not. He's not a supporting guy. He could be but as it stands he's an offensive focal point. As it stands, Boogie would be more of a stretch-5 in their big man dynamic than AD being a stretch 4.

Great points! U have guys like Dirk who have the ability to be a dominant stretch PF. But Dirk was a devastating scorer in general so calling somebody like Dirk merely a stretch PF can be limiting. I guess it depends on the context its used. And Boogie is MUCH MORE of threat from downtown than AD at this point. So That's why I think offensively, they won't step on each others toes. Other than the three ball, AD is very good to great at midrange, slashing to the rack, and postups. Plus he's a freak athlete who can overpower defenses that way too. They should be able to interchange inside-outside in a great manner.

On paper this is the best offensive twin tower combo ever.

[Da ThRONe]

30% fron 3 last year. No that's not a stretch player. Stretch 4 is a skill not a handicapped role.

[Alonzo_Morning]

No. He is a suoerstar who draws double teams. Hell was MJ a stretch 2? I guess all point guards are stretch 1s? Can we use stretch with fans who hit half court shots for cars?

Wing players stretch the defense by default with their shooting so that's a bit silly

[dhsilv2]

No. He is a suoerstar who draws double teams. Hell was MJ a stretch 2? I guess all point guards are stretch 1s? Can we use stretch with fans who hit half court shots for cars?

Wing players stretch the defense by default with their shooting so that's a bit silly

Not if they can't shoot, most just can. Though some players can stretch the floor without great shooting, Wade was a good example of this. He was so good at cutting that teams would have to guard him everywhere and always had a second man watching him.

A stretch 4 is used for someone who's offensive contribution is catch and shoot. Not one of the best offensive player in the game.

[Cappy_Smurf]

I'd call him a stretch big, because he's capable of stretching the floor from either the 4 or 5.

And I disagree with a limiting definition of stretch, whether it be stretch 4, stretch 5 or stretch big.

To me, it simple means they are capable of stretching the floor, not that it's the only thing they do offensively. If you say a guy isn't a stretch X, it means he has limited range and isn't capable of stretching the floor.

[bizil]

You have stretch PF's who are flat out superstars or great scorers. Then u have stretch PF's who are more or less specialist type guys. They can't carry a team like a Dirk. They aren't a Kevin Love type is also great rebounder and very good passing big. Ryan Anderson is a great example of this type of big. Not a guy u can build around, BUT a guy that is among the best long range shooting bigs in the league. BUT he's not a guy like Dirk or Love who could average 25 points in a season. And he's a below average rebounder, passer, and defender.

But when it comes to Davis, he's not a good enough three point shooter to be considered a stretch big any ANY DEFINITION in my opinion. BUT he can play on the perimeter out to the 20 ft mark and dominate scoring wise. He's a freak athlete who has impressive handles for a player 6'11. But when I think stretch big (4 or 5), I think of guys who have the three ball as a great weapon in their arsenal. Some are superstars like Dirk. Some are All stars like a Sheed or Love. And some are more on the level of a Ryan Anderson.

All the guys I named qualify as a stretch PF. And Boogie can be considered a stretch 5. Even though he's a superstar caliber big man and has many tools at his disposal. AD is more of 6'11 PF who has tremendous versatility, freak athletic ability, and a well rounded scoring skillset. BUT three ball (as of now) isn't really a very good to great weapon in his arsenal. The bigs I named ALL hit at least 100 3's in a season.

[AKFO]

Stretch 4 is a term that was coined when every team had a two-big system and three-point shooting was at much less of a premium in the NBA. Back then, I reckon any 4 man who could shoot threes would be called a stretch 4.

Nowadays, if you're a PF, you're expected to stretch the floor and be able to shoot threes. Once bigmen shooting threes became the norm in the NBA, the term "stretch four' became obsolete. If you play the four, you best stretch the floor.

However, this paved way for a new term; the stretch 5. Ten years ago, centers like Mehmet Okur that could shoot threes were so rare that "stretch 5" wasn't really used to describe anybody. But now that some 5's can stretch the floor, stretch 5 just denotes a center that can shoot the 3, which is still not a norm in the NBA.

[Alonzo_Morning]

Stretch 4 is a term that was coined when every team had a two-big system and three-point shooting was at much less of a premium in the NBA. Back then, I reckon any 4 man who could shoot threes would be called a stretch 4.

Nowadays, if you're a PF, you're expected to stretch the floor and be able to shoot threes. Once bigmen shooting threes became the norm in the NBA, the term "stretch four' became obsolete. If you play the four, you best stretch the floor.

However, this paved way for a new term; the stretch 5. Ten years ago, centers like Mehmet Okur that could shoot threes were so rare that "stretch 5" wasn't really used to describe anybody. But now that some 5's cant stretch the floor, stretch 5 just denotes a center that can shoot the 3, which is still not a norm in the NBA.

Positionless basketball will dictate that stretch 5s become the norm going forward