After a phenomenal opening week of the season for Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers, Austin Reaves made a bold declaration that reflects the shifting dynamics within the team:
“I feel like he’s the best player on our team and we play through him. He’s a high level talent. I expect him to go out every night and be dominant.”
“What he’s been doing is kind of, it’s unreal, obviously, but I expect him to go dominate the game in many facets. I’m just lucky to have him as a teammate.”
This statement came after Davis’s stellar 35-point performance in a 123-116 comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns, marking a 2-0 start for the Lakers for the first time since 2010-11. Reaves‘ remark signals not only a significant endorsement of Davis’s talent but also a new team direction focused on maximizing Davis as the offensive focal point.
The Lakers’ win against the Suns showcased Davis at his best, dominating both ends of the floor with scoring, defense, and rebounding. He dropped 35 points, secured 8 rebounds, and added 4 assists while shooting efficiently from the field.
This performance followed his 36-point outing in the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, indicating that Davis is ready to embrace a lead role on this team. His back-to-back 30+ point games mirror the type of production usually associated with franchise icons like Kobe Bryant and Jerry West, setting the tone for a season where Davis could be the undisputed centerpiece.
LeBron James himself echoed Reaves’ sentiments.
“It’s very important that he’s the main focal point for us every single night. We know what he’s going to do defensively, but offensively we have to find him in multiple places on the floor throughout the whole game. And we’ve done that through two games.”
Even as LeBron, now in his 22nd season, remains a critical force on the team, there’s a clear emphasis on positioning Davis as the focal player. At 31, Davis appears poised to take the mantle from LeBron, who is ready to let Davis shine while continuing to contribute as a secondary option.
Coach JJ Redick, in his debut season with the Lakers, is fully supportive of this direction.
“There’s an intentionality to have him involved as much as possible. We recognize what type of player he is and that he can create mismatches.”
“There’s a comfort level and a confidence level that he has that, if the game starts getting wacky, he knows the ball is going to come back to him. … The ball is going to find him.”
Under Redick’s leadership, the Lakers’ offensive schemes have incorporated Davis in versatile roles, allowing him to dominate in the paint while also creating space for shooters like Reaves and LeBron.
Beyond the stats and strategic choices, Reaves’s statement and Davis’s impact represent a psychological shift in the Lakers’ locker room. By publicly supporting Davis as the team’s leader, Reaves and LeBron have validated Davis’s role as the anchor of this Lakers squad, boosting his confidence and solidifying team chemistry. This endorsement encourages Davis to take command and brings the team’s focus onto a singular, dominant vision — one that’s built around maximizing his all-around abilities.
The Lakers’ strong start has also instilled a newfound sense of optimism and momentum, which was palpable in their game against Phoenix. Down by 22 points in the second quarter, the Lakers clawed back with tenacity, rallying behind Davis’s relentless scoring and Reaves’ perimeter shooting (5 of 7 from three-point range).
This comeback not only highlighted the Lakers’ depth but also underscored the growing chemistry between Davis, Reaves, and LeBron, each of whom contributed significantly during the third-quarter surge that shifted the game’s momentum.
For Lakers fans, this is reminiscent of the team’s championship-winning season in 2020, when Davis and LeBron operated in near-perfect harmony. As the season progresses, the team’s success will hinge on Davis’s ability to remain consistent and injury-free.
But if this first week is any indication, the Lakers are primed for a return to championship contention, with Davis leading the charge. And as Reaves, LeBron, and Redick all agree, the best path forward for the Lakers is to let Anthony Davis be the best player on the floor.
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