Anthony Davis drops blunt reaction to Lakers coach JJ Redick's data and analytics-driven approach: "I don't care about numbers"
Anthony Davis had a blunt reaction when asked about LA Lakers coach JJ Redick's approach to coaching. Redick told reporters on Wednesday that he would use a lot of data and analytics to run the Lakers in his first year in charge.
Speaking to reporters later on the same day, Davis said he doesn't care about what Redick has planned for the season. He knows that it's the coaching staff's job to look into those data and tell them what to do on the court. The only thing he cares about is winning games.
"I don't even know what some of that stuff means. It doesn't matter to me. What matters is if we have more points than the other team at the end of the game. That's all I care about," Davis said.
He added:
"These things that they come up with as far as analytics, these categories and stuff like that, it doesn’t even matter. It has no influence on me whatsoever. … I don't care about numbers, numbers don't mean anything. You can average 50 and be in last place."
While some fans might perceive it as negative, Anthony Davis only worries about what's happening on the court. Davis doesn't care about the numbers because it's not his job to track them all. His main job is to play basketball under coach JJ Redick and get the wins for the LA Lakers.
Analytics has indeed taken over basketball over the past few years but there are players like Davis, who doesn't embrace it as well as others. Nevertheless, it's up to Redick and his assistant coaches to relay what they want Davis and the rest of the Lakers to do on the court.
Anthony Davis enjoying LeBron and Bronny James in practice
LeBron and Bronny James are set to make history this upcoming season as the first father-son duo to play in the league, in the same game, and as teammates. However, it seems like they are already going at each other during practice and Anthony Davis is enjoying every bit of it.
"It's fantastic to be able to be here and witness it in practice. Bronny hit a 3 over him today. Everybody was talking smack in Bronny's favor. Then 'Bron came down and just bullied somebody. ... and got a layup. Bronny came down and hit another 3, I think over Austin (Reaves) and 'Bron wanted the ball. So you could see, even though they weren't matched up, the competition is there and that's what we love to see," Davis said. [H/T ESPN]
LeBron, Bronny, AD and the rest of the LA Lakers are set to start their preseason schedule on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They have six preseason games before Opening Night on Oct. 22.