Fri Jan 03 04:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Warriors’ Jackson-Davis’ Improved Play Offers Glimmer of Hope

**SAN FRANCISCO** – The Golden State Warriors are experiencing a resurgence thanks to the improved play of second-year center Trayce Jackson-Davis. Once described as passive, Jackson-Davis is now a more assertive and consistent force on both ends of the court. His newfound intensity, likened to a “hard-hat” approach similar to teammate Kevon Looney but with superior athleticism, has significantly boosted his effectiveness.

Since returning to the starting lineup on December 21st, Jackson-Davis is averaging 14 points (on 66% shooting), 9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.8 blocks. This impressive performance has him on track to become the first Warriors center to average a double-double since Andris Biedrinš in 2009-10.

Coach Steve Kerr, previously hesitant to express a need for more size, is praising Jackson-Davis’s recent surge, attributing it to his growing understanding of the league and his improved defensive positioning and rebounding. Kerr highlights Jackson-Davis’s offensive threat as a lob target, opening up opportunities for the entire team.

The impact of Jackson-Davis’s improved play was evident in the Warriors’ recent 109-105 victory over the Phoenix Suns. In a crucial late-game sequence, he secured a key rebound alongside Dennis Schröder, a play lauded by Draymond Green as pivotal to the win. This contrasts with previous instances where the Warriors had secured stops but failed to secure the rebound.

While still smaller than other elite NBA centers like Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid, Jackson-Davis provides a valuable alternative at the center position, offering a combination of size, shot-blocking ability, and a fast-paced playing style. His development is seen as crucial to the Warriors’ chances of competing with the league’s best teams. The team’s player development coach, Anthony Vereen, emphasizes Jackson-Davis’s growth as a professional and his increasing understanding of the necessary intensity to play at an elite level.

Read More