Yesterday, New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry said that the team needs to at least consider shutting down All-Star Anthony Davis for the remainder of the season. Today, the team took his advice. Davis is done for the season
From The Pelicans’ official Twitter account:
Coach Gentry just announced that @AntDavis23 won't play again this season. Watch the presser – https://t.co/IFLEDJxnPT
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 20, 2016
From the team’s official announcement:
“We’re going to shut him down. He’s done for the year,” [Head Coach Alvin] Gentry said. “It’s unfortunate, but he’s got an issue with his shoulder that he’s played with the whole season. It’s amazing when people talk about him being soft or whatever; they don’t understand that he’s played through a situation with his shoulder the entire season.”
The Pels are probably making the right call. This team is not good, with or without Davis(they have a record of 25-43), and at this point they might as well tank. They obviously aren’t a playoff team even with Davis, but he does make them better. Might as well just shut him down and tank. Of course, the other factor here is that Davis does have a couple of injuries. It’s better to shut him down and avoid the risk of Davis further injuring his body.
This season for the Pelicans, Anthony Davis has averaged 24.3 points, a career-high 10.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2 blocks, and 1.3 steals. Davis has also started shooting 3s this season, attempting 1.8 per game(up from 0.2 last season) and has made them at a 32.4% clip. That’s not great, but it is a start.
Shutting down Davis is presumably a cautionary action. I’m sure he’ll be just fine, health-wise.
