Anthony Davis offered three words to epitomize why Lakers can't be written off
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis is one of the most accomplished big men in basketball history. He was dominant en route to a national championship in college, brilliant as the Los Angeles Lakers won a title in 2020, and is now a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
As critics write the Lakers off as a team that shouldn't mentioned among the supposedly legitimate NBA contenders, however, Davis isn't hearing any of it.
Over the course of five seasons in Los Angeles, Davis has helped the purple and gold win a championship and reach a second Conference Finals. There have been ups and downs, including a first-round exit in 2023-24, but the peaks have been extraordinary.
When asked what his mentality is coming into the 2024-25 season, Davis spoke elaborately before landing on three key words: "Whatever it takes."
"Being aggressive every time down the floor. Being dominant every game. Doing my job. Doing my part in helping this team do what we gotta do. Whether that's taking on a matchup defensively, taking on a role offensively. Being a leader of the team. Carrying us in games, playoffs, whatever it takes. We can't rely heavily on our individual games. Obviously, it's a team effort in what we're trying to build. But for me personally, it's just taking it upon myself to make sure that I'm even better than what I was last year."
That's as encouraging and team-first of a quote as you'll find from a superstar, no matter the team they play for.
Anthony Davis ready to do "whatever it takes" to help Lakers contend
The fact that Davis is focused on being better than he was in 2023-24 is a scary thought for opposing teams and players. This past season, he was the only player who earned both All-NBA and All-Defense honors—and he deserved every vote.
Davis was the defensive anchor for Los Angeles, protecting the paint and taking on challenges along the perimeter, all the while carrying a monumental offensive workload.
Statistically, he averaged 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.1 offensive boards, 3.5 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals while appearing in 76 games. He shot 55.6 percent from the field and 81.6 percent at the free-throw line.
Davis also ranked No. 1 in the NBA in second-chance points—while the Lakers ranked dead last in the same statistic as a team.
In 2024-25, the hope is that Davis will be surrounded by a healthier supporting cast than he had in 2023-24. Davis, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and D'Angelo Russell all played at least 68 games, but the second unit was ravaged by injuries.
Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent appeared in a combined 40 games after signing contracts worth a combined $81 million in 2023, and Christian Wood missed 32 outings of his own.
Health permitting, the Lakers should have a better team than the one that won 47 games and the NBA Cup a season ago. The key to unlocking the unit's full potential will be the three words that Davis so casually said: "Whatever it takes."
With a commitment to winning that includes a willingness to do anything a situation calls for, Davis is prepared to lead by example as he enters a definitive season in franchise history.
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