Los Angeles Lakers: 3 bold predictions for Anthony Davis in 2021

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers wears a Kobe Bryant patch on his jacket during warm ups against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers wears a Kobe Bryant patch on his jacket during warm ups against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

3. Anthony Davis finishes as an MVP finalist over LeBron James

This is partly going to be due to the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers will be cautious with LeBron James’ workload this season. However, it also is going to be due to the fact that AD is just entering his prime and LeBron is only getting older.

LeBron is still going to be right there in the MVP voting and will be right outside of being deemed a finalist (the top-three vote-getters). This will be the first year in which AD is the guy on the Los Angeles Lakers, eventually transitioning this to be his team once LeBron calls it quits.

At least that is the hope.

LeBron finished second in MVP voting last season and I do think that is his last true run at the award. Again, not saying he is a #WashedKing or anything, I just think there is so much young talent in this league.

AD finished sixth in voting and I think he catapults all the way to third. Personally, if I had to guess the MVP finalists right now, I would go with:

  1. Luka Doncic
  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
  3. Anthony Davis

AD will have leap-frogged some players to get into the top three though and we already mentioned LeBron. James Harden‘s situation in Houston is interesting and I think he falls out of the top three as a result. Luka catapults into the top three and I just think that AD will simply be better and play more than Kawhi Leonard.

Anthony Davis has been an MVP finalist before. He finished third in voting in 2018 behind LeBron James and James Harden. He also finished fifth in 2015.