Inside Anthony Davis’ MVP-caliber start, he emphasizes, “I want to win another championship.” This strong desire drives him as he reflects on his journey and achievements in the NBA.
Sitting in the backyard of his Los Angeles residence, Davis often gazes toward the horizon, filled with gratitude for the life he leads. “Man, I’m just blessed,” he shared with FOX Sports. “God has endowed me with remarkable talent, a loving family, and a healthy body, aside from basketball injuries. Overall, I enjoy a healthy life and a positive mental state. I express my thankfulness every day for the opportunities I have.”
Now in his 13th NBA season, Davis’ sense of fulfillment has manifested as both a relaxed demeanor and focused intensity on the court. He is currently achieving career-high averages in points (28.6) and 3-point shooting percentage (37.5%), along with 11.5 rebounds per game for the Los Angeles Lakers, who are positioned sixth in the Western Conference with a record of 12-8.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, who is also an NBA awards voter for 2024, recently labeled Davis as the leading MVP candidate, stating, “He has been absolutely sensational this season.” It is evident that Davis now holds the belief that he is the best player on the court during any game.
This mindset marks a significant change, especially as he shares the court with LeBron James, a player he once idolized. Davis recalls traveling by Greyhound bus from Chicago to Ohio at 15 to attend the LeBron Academy, and now he plays alongside James on the Lakers, a partnership that began in 2019. With James approaching his 40th birthday, the 31-year-old Davis has embraced a profound shift: the Lakers are now his team, despite sharing the court with one of the greatest players in basketball history.
Davis acknowledges James’ unparalleled accomplishments, stating, “He’s the greatest ever to lace up some shoes, scoring over 40,000 points and breaking nearly every record possible.” He recognizes the attention James commands on the court due to his high basketball IQ and ability to play the right way. Davis understands that while James is aging, he still competes at an elite level.
Davis also recognizes that for the Lakers to achieve their goals, he must maintain his current level of play. “It’s never been a conversation where he says, ‘This is your team and I’m handing you the keys.’ We’ve simply played off each other, and it has naturally unfolded,” he explained.
Embracing his role, Davis has become a dominant force on both ends of the court. He serves as the defensive anchor for the Lakers and plays with a combination of joy and passion that resonates with fans and teammates alike.
Davis credits his experience playing for Team USA at the recent Olympic Games in Paris for sharpening his skills. “There was just a carryover from that,” he said. “I’ve found a great rhythm.”
He praised first-year Lakers coach JJ Redick for facilitating a game plan that revolves around him. “We’ve come together and realized the ball needs to be in my hands, and I can create plays from there,” Davis noted.
Upon taking the helm, Redick challenged Davis with a clear goal: “To win the MVP,” he stated.
With Davis performing at his peak and James demonstrating remarkable resilience, capable of multiple triple-double performances, the Lakers are poised to be competitive. They recently achieved a six-game winning streak, raising hopes of contending for another championship after their victory in the 2020 NBA Bubble.
“Right now, we’re in control of our own destiny, sitting in the sixth seed,” Davis remarked. “LeBron and I definitely want another championship. I want a parade. I want to experience that. I know LeBron does too, and many players on our team are eager for their first title. We’re all competitive, playing for each other, and striving for one common goal.”
While the MVP discussions validate Davis’ performance, he emphasizes that individual accolades are not his primary motivation. He refuses to compromise team success for personal statistics.
“The MVP stuff will come when it comes, if it comes,” Davis explained. “I’m not focused on dominating for the sake of winning MVP. Players often lose sight of team basketball when they chase individual awards.”
Davis understands the pitfalls of prioritizing personal achievements. He has consistently dedicated himself to the less glamorous aspects of the game, particularly on defense. Despite leading the league in blocked shots three times and being among the top active shot-blockers, he remains puzzled as to why he has never won the Defensive Player of the Year award.
When questioned about potential biases from voters regarding his move from New Orleans to the Lakers or playing alongside James, Davis admitted uncertainty. “I couldn’t even tell you,” he said. “The criteria seem to shift over time. Some players win Defensive Player of the Year simply by having the most blocks, while I’ve done that and haven’t received the award. Is it about individual or team defense?”
“I can do everything defensively. I can switch on any position and guard pick-and-rolls effectively. I’m an elite rim protector,” he asserted. “I’ve stopped worrying about the award because I’m focused on winning a championship.”
Davis recognizes that his opportunity to win another title alongside James is limited, which adds urgency to their pursuit. Their bond has grown over six years, making them not just teammates but close friends.
On the court, they complement each other perfectly. Davis has never felt the need to compete with James but instead seeks to learn from him. “Playing alongside someone like that motivates me every year,” he shared. “We know he has only a few years left, and we want to make the most of it.”
While Davis has evolved as a player, he still feels the weight of perceived failures. After scoring 39 points in a narrow loss to Orlando, he was visibly upset, speaking softly to reporters about the missed opportunity.
However, he has learned to reset after setbacks. “Even after tough losses, I return home to my kids,” he explained. “They don’t care about my stats; they just want to know if I’m okay. They remind me to enjoy what I do.”
Davis uses this perspective to keep a balanced outlook. While he acknowledges his tendency to overthink, he also recognizes that he must appreciate every moment on the court.
He often reflects on his journey to the NBA, which once felt like an unattainable dream. Davis was relatively unknown until a growth spurt propelled him to the top of high school rankings. His one season at Kentucky led to a National Championship and ultimately being selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2012.
“I was a late bloomer and didn’t experience the typical AAU circuit,” he admitted. “I appreciate being among the top players for so long, making nine All-Star teams and winning two USA gold medals. Many players never get to compete for a championship or earn an All-Star selection.”
This perspective has helped him dismiss negative labels. Once nicknamed “Street Clothes” by Charles Barkley due to injuries, he played 76 games last season, proving he can be a dominant force on both ends of the court. Now, he focuses on simply playing without feeling the need to prove anything.
“I don’t have anything to prove to myself,” Davis stated. “I’ve shown I can be healthy, win a championship, and perform in crucial moments. My goal is to stay healthy and enjoy playing basketball.”
Currently, Davis is fully present in each game. He is not attempting to reshape his narrative; instead, he is playing at an elite level while leading the Lakers, even alongside LeBron James.
As his star continues to shine brighter, he finds moments of reflection, appreciating how far he has come and the journey that has led him to this point.
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