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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Realistic expectations for the 2019-2020 season

By Ethan Temkin

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands for the National Anthem prior to the game against the Toronto Raptors on March 14, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands for the National Anthem prior to the game against the Toronto Raptors on March 14, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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3.) Anthony Davis becomes an MVP candidate.

Prior to his requesting a trade that essentially saw him ‘shut-down’ for the rest of last season, Anthony Davis was easily having an MVP caliber season. In the 41 games in which he did play in full, Davis averaged a staggering 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 1.7 steals.

Oh and did I mention that he’ll still only be 27 entering next season?

These numbers are comparable; perhaps even better than those of eventual MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals.  Now obviously it’s hard to project whether or not Davis’ colossal numbers would’ve held up for an entire 82-game season, but there’s no doubting that he played like an MVP prior to his being shut down.

For the 2019-2020 season there will be no such restrictions on Davis, and he’ll be playing alongside one the league’s best play-makers — and players in general — in LeBron James.

While Davis has shown flashes of playmaking ability, he’s at his best playing alongside a capable playmaker, such as Jrue Holiday, or even Rajon Rondo, and if anyone is going to get the most out of Davis, it will undoubtedly be James.

But perhaps the most important thing, is the narrative of this all. After not playing meaningful basketball since January, and having to listen to media members criticize him, Davis will most definitely have a chip on his shoulder. He will be eager to once again show the basketball world why he should be considered a top-5 player, and in the conversation for best player in the league.

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