Los Angeles Lakers: Predicting starting five after injury to DeMarcus Cousins

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 06: Anthony Davis (L) and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers arrive at a game between the Lakers and the LA Clippers during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 06: Anthony Davis (L) and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers arrive at a game between the Lakers and the LA Clippers during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)

Power Forward: Anthony Davis

While Davis is a natural power forward and he is going to see the vast majority of his minutes at this position, it wouldn’t be a shock if he got some good minutes at the center spot either.

In the past, the Lakers had all-time greats in George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal and Pau Gasol, being the gold standard of what it meant to be an all-time great as well as a Lakers big man. Davis, who comes to the Lakers as one of the top players in the NBA has the talent to join that illustrious company.

In a blockbuster trade which cost the Lakers Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and the 4th overall pick (as well as future picks and pick swaps), the Lakers landed superstar Anthony Davis. To say his arrival has changed the face of the Lakers franchise is an understatement.

While the young core of Ball, Ingram, and Hart were adored by fans, they did not fit the timeline in which the purple and gold had set themselves to win a championship while LeBron James was under contract.

With Davis on the roster, the Lakers get one of the most dominant big men in NBA history, as well as one of the best two-way players in the NBA. Davis’ ability to block a shot is almost telepathic. Try and score in the paint and AD will send your shot into the crowd. Try and have just one man guarding him and he will destroy his man in the paint with his strength and advanced post moves.

In Davis, you get one of the best pick and roll bigs in the NBA.  Add to that that James is one of the best pick and roll passers in the NBA and you get a dream pairing for the purple and gold.

If Davis and LeBron can fire on all cylinders, then the NBA better watch out as this pairing could take the NBA by storm