The 2021-22 season has been lower than stellar up to now for Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers, and far of that falls on the shoulders of the previous No. 1 choose. This was presupposed to be the yr Davis took over because the Lakers’ greatest participant, however that blueprint hasn’t labored out the way in which it was drawn up.
Davis has missed greater than a 3rd of the workforce’s video games this season, taking part in in simply 27 of 41. When Davis has performed, his manufacturing hasn’t been as much as par for a participant of his caliber. He’s averaging 23.3 ppg, which is on the decrease finish for Davis. Truthfully, it looks like we’ve been saying this about Davis since he entered the league in 2012.
Prime-five expertise doesn’t at all times equal a top-five participant within the affiliation. Davis appears to have regressed over his three years in Los Angeles. That first pandemic-interrupted season by which the Lakers received The Bubble championship; Davis was the person within the common season and postseason. That yr Davis scored 26 ppg and even made 33 % of his three-point makes an attempt. The longer term was trying tremendous vivid for Davis at this level, particularly after taking part in a significant function within the Lakers’ seventeenth title.
It felt like we’d lastly be capable to see LeBron James take a backseat and hand the keys to the Rolls to Davis after that championship. Since then, Davis has performed in simply 63 of a attainable 113 video games. Most of his stats have taken a dip, and simply watching him play, he seems to be like a distinct participant. He has the instruments to dominate each evening no matter who the Lakers play. However that hasn’t been the case, and I’m starting to suppose it by no means shall be. When wholesome, Davis would simply be one of many top centers within the league alongside Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Karl-Anthony Cities. It’s also possible to throw Rudy Gobert in there, though he can’t create his personal scoring alternatives in the identical method because the others.
We’re solely a yr faraway from James and Davis taking the top two spots on ESPN’s high 100 NBA gamers record heading into the 2020-21 season. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I’m not even positive if it may be stated that Davis is a Prime 10 NBA participant proper now. Neglect concerning the top-five. Apart from the provision side of his recreation, the one attribute Davis has at all times appeared to lack is management. All of the expertise on the earth can’t propel a supposed franchise centerpiece previous a lack of leadership qualities. James’ cup, then again, runneth over in management abilities.
It’s no secret that Davis isn’t a fan of taking part in the middle place. Though he does it at occasions, he’s made it away from his opposition to doing so. “I like taking part in the 4. I don’t actually like taking part in the 5.” Davis expressed earlier than the 2019-20 season.
Enjoying out of place is a part of being a pacesetter. Sure, he’s performed it in spurts, however we already understand how he feels about it, and extra importantly, his workforce is aware of. James has performed middle this season himself. LeBron has performed principally each place on the ground for L.A. this yr between the accidents, COVID, and this workforce being totally out of sync to start the yr. If King James can play the 5 with out proclaiming his distaste for it, then so can Davis.
By yr six or seven within the NBA, most gamers are what they’re. Each time I hear an analyst use the “top-five expertise” line when describing Davis, my eyes roll into the again of my head like The Undertaker circa 1991. To anticipate Anthony Davis to turn into way more than what he’s been, 10 years into his profession, is totally ludicrous. He’s a terrific participant if he’s forged in a supporting function. Because the No. 2 choice, 1B or nonetheless you wish to phrase it, that’s exactly the place Davis must be. We’ve seen Davis as a number one man in New Orleans, and he received them out of the primary spherical as soon as in seven years. Now that it’s time for him to take the reins in L.A., Davis is nowhere to be discovered.
Davis has greater than doubtless hit his ceiling already along with his efficiency through the bubble season being his peak. It’s time we lowered the expectation stage for Davis and settle for him for who he’s. He’s a terrific good participant, a future Corridor of Famer, however not one a workforce can depend upon to take them to the Promised Land.