Davis

Biodata

Background / History

Davis played for New Orleans alongside DeMarcus Cousins, forming a frontcourt whose size, shooting, and rim protection made the Pelicans a difficult matchup. After winning All-Star MVP, he greeted Chen Xi before a Pelicans–Thunder game; the two had already become acquainted in New Orleans 57. The following season, Davis remained the centerpiece of a Pelicans lineup that also featured Cousins, Jrue Holiday, Rajon Rondo, and E’Twaun Moore 112.

Davis later joined the Thunder, where he became an interior partner for Chen Xi and Russell Westbrook 235 253. In the 2018–19 season, he returned from a brief absence caused by back spasms 252. His importance to Oklahoma City was evident against Golden State: Chen and Davis combined for 58 points in a 113–99 win, with Davis recording 32 points and 15 rebounds 253. He was selected as an All-Star reserve that season 291.

In the 2019–20 season, Davis made the All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive Second Team 481. Injuries continued to affect his availability: he missed a month before returning during a later playoff push, and was subsequently held out of playoff games even after recovering while the Thunder managed his health cautiously 541 680. He remained with Oklahoma City after Chen Xi moved to New York, and the two later faced each other as opponents 1061.

Personality

Davis is described as gentle and willing to serve as a second option without avoiding responsibility. On joining the Thunder, he understood his role as helping Chen Xi lead the team 235 683. He remained largely unfazed when fans criticized his absence from the lineup, and he and Chen spent an evening together after Chen publicly showed support for him 680.

Abilities & Skills

Interior scoring

• Uses his size, footwork, and touch to score in the post; against Eric Gordon, he backed his defender down and spun past him 112.
• Finishes rolls, lobs, offensive rebounds, and second-chance plays near the basket 278 418 1061.
• Can shoot from mid-range and beyond, making him more than a close-range scoring threat 57.

Screening and offensive partnership

• Sets strong screens and rolls decisively, creating scoring chances for himself and driving lanes for Chen Xi and Westbrook 258 392.
• Draws defenders toward the paint and can pass to cutters when they exploit the resulting space 335.
• Forms an effective pick-and-roll partnership with Chen; Chen’s shooting and Davis’s rolling threat also create opportunities for perimeter teammates 984.

Interior defense

• Protects the rim and provides help defense; the Thunder’s interior defense suffers noticeably when he sits 471 572.
• Has the reach and recovery speed to block shots even after an attacker initially gets past him 844 937.

Relationships

• Chen Xi — Friend and longtime offensive partner. Chen publicly supported Davis during criticism of his absence; after Chen joined the Knicks, they became opponents 680 1061.
• Russell Westbrook — Thunder teammate and pick-and-roll partner; Westbrook regularly creates chances for Davis near the rim 392 1411.
• DeMarcus Cousins — Former Pelicans frontcourt partner in New Orleans’s twin-tower lineup 57 112.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Thunder teammate whose pick-and-roll play sets Davis up around the basket 398 541.