Now that he is with the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis is getting used to the higher expectations that come with the territory.
Throughout the course of history, when opponents face the Los Angeles Lakers, players always seem to play with an extra edge. A large part of that reasoning perhaps stems from pure jealousy.
The Lakers boast the second most championships of any NBA franchise, and naturally it is difficult to not see the collection of banners drooping from the Staples Center rafters. As a result, many coming from the outside tend to use that element as motivation to play well against the Lakers.
Understandably so, in many cities across the league, the Lakers’ track record has led to numerous “Beat LA!” chants. Teams do not enjoy losing to the purple and gold, and accomplishing the feat tends to carry extra weight in comparison to the average team.
Big man Anthony Davis is still getting adjusted to this reality given that he is now a Laker. Davis discerns that the expectations that emerge in being on the Lakers do not quite compare to what they once were.
Of course, Davis spent the first seven years of his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans. Granted he performed well for them, not a lot of folks expected much from the Pelicans on any given night. It is sad to say, but there is a kernel of truth to that remark.
Simply put, New Orleans does not receive nearly the same amount of media coverage that Los Angeles does. The latter has always been a raving, bustling place when it comes to that next juicy story. Few cities, if any, match up against the City of Angels in that aspect.
Because Los Angeles-based journalists are always searching for their next story, more attention will be on Davis than ever. Since he was a six-time All-Star as a Pelican, too, Lakers’ fans are expecting him to deliver in his new uniform.
The Lakers have a revamped roster and one could argue they are built to make it far this season. Davis’ presence alone plays a significant role in terms of how the Lakers are viewed. On that note, opponents are not going to take the Lakers with a grain of salt in 2019-20.
One of the other challenges AD is facing in being with Los Angeles is its track record of great big men. The Lakers could construct their own Mount Rushmore based on the C/PF positions alone and it is now Davis’ turn to prove he belongs in that same breath.
For that reason, all eyes will be on him to be a metaphorical monster in the time that lies ahead. Nobody expects anything less than from the skilled, defensive-minded player.
The Lakers are among a rare breed of teams. They just are and there is no getting around that obstacle if that is reasonable to say.
Davis recently spoke about the topic with Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The former admitted that L.A. is a land where there is consistent scrutiny. Davis and the Lakers are expected to be great this season, so the scrutiny may even be at a higher height than normal.
Harrison Faigen of SB Nation transcribed the following words from McMenamin’s story.
"“I think a lot of stuff that I did in New Orleans, people saw and heard about. But then again, people said, ‘Well, it was New Orleans.’ I think the big question is, ‘All right, let’s see what he can do on a big stage.’ Obviously the playoffs are the playoffs, but, ‘Let’s see what he does on 35 [national] TV games now,” Davis says.“Nobody was really waking up [for a game] in New Orleans. Every game now is like, ‘All right, if we beat the Lakers [we accomplished something].’ [With the Pelicans] we could lose games and people were like, ‘OK, well no one expected them to win this game,’ or whatever. Now, every night you have to show up. If not, the next day, here comes your name through the tabloids.”"
Indeed, because the Lakers are in the market they are in, nationally televised games are a given. That factor in itself means more people will be watching Davis and company than was the case during his first seven years. Therefore, there is an added dose of pressure there.
It is key that AD recognizes he will “have to show up” night after night. L.A. is a different animal than his previous home was, so nights like the one he had Saturday night are the type that people will expect from the superstar.
Part of the expectations that are on Davis is due to the presence of LeBron James. James is arguably the most criticized player in the game, so anything that goes awry in Hollywood will likewise fall on Davis’ shoulders. They are, on paper, bound to be a fine one-two punch, so their names will become synonymous as the season unfolds.
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Speaking of the duo, the two have been challenging one another in various ways leading up to the season. Per McMenamin, LeBron has been persuading his new teammate to watch more film in his spare time.
The article goes on to reveal that AD likes to spend his free time on the joysticks, so this is a new experience for the big fella.
However, the fact that James is not afraid to call out Davis says a lot about their relationship already. It demonstrates that LBJ wants The Brow to maximize his potential and being in the film room is one way players can make minor adjustments to their game.
It is really important that the two are already establishing chemistry. Assuming this trend continues in terms of them pushing one another, the Lakers will be a tough out this season.
As Faigen indicated, the fact that Davis has James to lean on is pretty special. AD has never had a teammate quite like The King, so to know that James is not hesitant to speak up is nice to see.
As time progresses, it is fair to say that they will naturally elevate one another. Not every team has that kind of luxury.
The Lakers have the appearance of what could be a special group this year. Via what Davis said, they will be a team that everyone circles their calendars on when it is game day. Teams will bring their “A” game without a doubt.
Be that as it may, if AD and LBJ continue to go about their business in the manner they have done thus far, no team will want to deal with the Lakers.