Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis’ 3 best games this season

1. 40 Points/20 Rebounds vs. Memphis Grizzlies – Oct. 29

It sure did not take Lakers fans long to appreciate the greatness of Anthony Davis. Four games into the NBA regular season, Davis showed us all why they had to make the trade for him.

Yes, Anthony Davis scored 40 points. Sure he gobbled up 20 rebounds. However, it was the way in which he did these things.

Watching Davis throughout his tenure in New Orleans, he would often have monstrous games. This was Los Angeles’s first time witnessing it while wearing purple and gold.

Anthony Davis was as effective as you will ever see in a box score. He hammered down 40 points on only 17 shot attempts (yes, you read that correctly). He marched to the charity stripe a total of 27 times, making 26 of them.

Davis was just too big and too athletic for Memphis. He out-hustled the opposition on both sides of the glass, pulling down 12 defensive rebounds and eight offensive rebounds. One of Davis’ most underrated characteristics is his quick leaping ability, especially with multiple jumps. He was able to tip balls away from the Grizzlies as if he were playing with a group of kids at the local YMCA.

Davis had one for the record books. He set a team record for most free throws made in a game. Davis also set an NBA record for most free throws made in a single quarter when he went 18-18 in the third. To top off his incredible night, Anthony became the first Lakers player to have a 40 point, 20 rebound game since Shaquille O’Neal in 2003.

If the Los Angeles Lakers are given the opportunity to return to the court and chase banner number 17 this season, Anthony Davis will need more games like this to be successful.