The 10 Greatest Lakers in history, ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
By Will Eudy
3. Anthony Davis - 25.8
The other catalyst of the Lakers' success in the 2020s has been Anthony Davis. Leaving New Orleans to team up with LeBron James in LA in 2019, the two stars formed a dominating duo that brought the Lakers their first championship in a decade a year later in 2020.
Even in the modern era, Davis has been able to up his PER by being a big man that often plays close to the basket. It is a style he has only utilized more the longer he has been in LA. His first season with the Lakers in 2019-20, AD attempted a career-high 218 three-point shot attempts.
After that, he took a much lower 100 the following season, and he has not attempted more than 78 in a season since then. While he is not the worst three-point shooter, Davis remembering his biggest strengths and getting back to dominating in the low post has only increased his effectiveness.
On the defensive end, AD is a lockdown defender that consistently frustrates opponents and racks up steals and blocks. He is a four-time All-Defensive team honoree as well as a three-time NBA block champion, and his improved health in the 2023-24 season has made him one of the best overall players in the association once again.