Anthony Davis has been an absolute force on the defensive end for the Los Angeles Lakers, and should be the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. Here’s why.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the best teams in the NBA, currently standing with an great record. In addition the team has the 2nd ranked defense, thanks in large part to one unibrowed power forward named Anthony Davis.
Davis’ defensive prowess has always been recognized, which has garnered him three All-Defense team selections so far in his young career. But this year with the Lakers, Davis has taken his defense to another level. Thanks to LeBron James shouldering a large portion of the offensive load, Davis has been able to focus more of his efforts on the defensive end.
Prior to the start of this season, Davis laid out his goals for the year, with winning Defensive Player of the Year being chief among them. Here’s what he told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports at the start of the season.
"“I want to be Defensive Player of the Year,” Davis told Yahoo Sports. “I think if I’m able to do that, I can help this team win. The offensive end will come around, but defensively, I want to hold myself, teammates, including LeBron, accountable in order for us to take on the challenge of being the best we can defensively.”"
So far, Davis has made good on this particular goal, and in this piece, we’re going to lay out the case why he should absolutely be the front-runner for this award.