Anthony Davis’ reluctance to play center — specifically in the regular season — has been a talking point for Lakers faithful from seemingly the day he arrived. And while it has shaped the way the Lakers have built their roster, it also hasn’t been a big issue in the postseason, as he plays the position whenever necessary once the playoffs come around.
Still, for the majority of 82 regular season games, Davis plays alongside a big man as a way of protecting himself from the wear and tear of banging with centers throughout the year. When the Lakers won the title in the 2019-20 season, it was Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee that served as the pairing to help keep Davis fresher, a decision that eventually led to an all-time performance from Davis during the postseason.