Did Anthony Davis deserve more from the Lakers? The answer is a resounding yes.
Davis has made sacrifices that few elite athletes would consider.
However, the Lakers’ recent actions have raised eyebrows. On Saturday evening, they responded to his dedication and loyalty by trading him to Dallas in a three-team deal to acquire superstar Luka Dončić.
Shockingly, it seems they didn’t even give him a heads-up.
While this is part of the business, it highlights a troubling aspect of professional sports. Alerting any key players could have jeopardized the deal, impacting both the Lakers’ future and the Mavericks’ pursuit of a championship-caliber player.
Despite his contributions, Davis remains one of the most underappreciated figures in the NBA. A significant factor is his willingness to play in LeBron James’ shadow during his prime years.
At 31, Davis accepted a secondary role, rarely advocating for individual accolades and allowing his childhood idol to take center stage.
James dominated the media landscape, consistently receiving the spotlight. Even this season, while Davis showcased some of his best performances, it was James who was named an All-Star starter, despite Davis leading the Lakers in scoring (25.7 points) and rebounding (11.9 rebounds). (Davis was later recognized as an All-Star reserve by the coaches.)
Davis has handled this situation with grace, setting aside his ego in a way that few superstars would for such an extended period.
Take Kyrie Irving, for example. After playing a pivotal role in the Cavaliers’ historic comeback in the NBA Finals, he demanded a trade just a year later.
Why did he leave?
He wanted a larger role and to shine on his own, free from James’ shadow.
It’s understandable.
James is a dominant presence. He is the face of the NBA, and his entrance often commands silence in the locker room. His aura is undeniable, stemming from years of competing with Michael Jordan for the title of the greatest player ever.
Yet, being in such a shadow can be draining for another superstar, especially one who has shared a court with him during his prime years. Davis displayed remarkable maturity, choosing to learn from James rather than seeking personal accolades.
For Davis, teaming up with James led to his first championship in 2020. However, it also solidified his reputation as a sidekick, despite James’ attempts to shift that narrative.
In recent years, James has publicly acknowledged Davis as the best player on the Lakers. However, the NBA community continues to focus on James, leaving Davis in a supporting role.
Through it all, Davis has remained dedicated. He has shed the “street clothes” label given to him by Charles Barkley for being sidelined too often, participating in 173 of the last 187 games and missing only six games last season.
He earned four All-Star selections during his tenure with the Lakers. Even without a Defensive Player of the Year award, he focused on the less glamorous aspects of the game, prioritizing team success over individual recognition.
This season, Davis played as if he held the keys to the franchise, even if they weren’t officially his. Just days before his trade, he delivered an impressive 42-point, 23-rebound game against Charlotte, including an explosive 21-point and 11-rebound first quarter.
For Davis, recognition was never the goal.
His loyalty to James and the Lakers remained steadfast, regardless of personal consequences. Following news of his trade, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant highlighted a glaring double standard in the league.
“Players are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment to a program, but the organizations don’t get held to that same standard,” Durant pointed out.
He is absolutely correct.
When players seek trades, they face criticism for being disloyal, a sentiment Davis knows all too well after his move from New Orleans to the Lakers in 2019. Yet when organizations disrupt a player’s life by trading him mid-season, the public response is often muted.
While it’s hard to feel too sorry for Davis, who is set to earn $43.2 million, the Lakers’ pursuit of Dončić, a 25-year-old talent, is understandable. He could potentially reshape the team’s future.
Davis and James revitalized the Lakers, ending a six-year playoff drought and bringing home a championship after a decade-long wait.
Yes, Davis needed James to achieve that success.
However, without Davis’s willingness to play a role that many would find difficult, the Lakers would not be in their current position.
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