- Anthony Davis is rumored to have an interest in joining LeBron James on the Team USA roster next year
- Stephen A. rips Davis for jeopardizing his health
- Lakers big man gets compared to a “roller coaster” for up-and-down career
After Team USA’s stunning defeat against Team Canada this weekend, talks about a potential ‘Redeem Team’ began to surface online. While not confirmed, several top-level superstars are reportedly planning to suit up for the Olympic games next year, including LeBron James and his fellow Lakers teammate, Anthony Davis.
Davis, 30, already has one Gold medal for his previous stint in 2012 but not everyone is convinced that he should give it another try in 2024. “I don’t want to hear nothing about no damn Anthony Davis representing Team USA,” said ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith. “I need to make sure he’s going to show up for Lakers games!”
The Lakers traded for Davis back in 2019 and his performance has lived up to expectations. Unfortunately, the durability just isn’t there and his extensive injury history makes it impossible to trust that he can stay on the floor for any long stretch of time. “Anthony Davis is a superstar when he brings his A-game and when he plays, but either he’s not there half the time, or when he’s there he might as well not be there. 40 points in Game 1, 11 points since Game 2. You know what name I call him that is very appropriate? Six Flags. Up and down up and down, like a roller coaster.”
.@stephenasmith reacts to Anthony Davis showing interest in participating for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics in Paris 👀
"I don't want to hear nothing about no damn Anthony Davis representing Team USA. … I need to make sure he's going to show up for Lakers games." pic.twitter.com/rweJKaBc3x
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 11, 2023
Can Anthony Davis Stay Healthy?
There’s no question that Davis would make a huge impact for Team USA, but it might not be a good idea for him to participate. Over the past five seasons, Davis has only surpassed the 60 games played mark once, and it was during his very first season with the Purple and Gold.
At 30 years old, the window is closing for Davis as a top-level superstar and if he can’t stay healthy over these next 2-3 years, it could jeopardize his position as the centerpiece of the Lakers. Regardless, with LeBron James approaching 40, the Lakers need Anthony Davis at his best on the court if they want any hope of making a meaningful run in the West. In 56 games during the 2022-23 season, AD averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game on 56% shooting.
Lakers Are Competing For A Title
After falling short in the Western Conference Finals this year, most fans assumed the Lakers would aim high for their reinforcements this summer. Instead, they decided to stay low-key by picking up mid-level role players on cheap contracts. It was far from the best-case scenario for LA, but they got deeper and overall more well-rounded after adding Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, and Jaxson Hayes among others.
Ultimately, the real key to success rests in the hands of the “big three” – LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and young breakout guard Austin Reaves. Together, they give the Lakers a balanced three-prong attack that keeps defenders on their heels.
If those guys can stay healthy and develop their chemistry together, there will be nothing stopping the Lakers from surpassing their achievements from last season. of course, the 2024 Olympic games could jeopardize that scenario for the Lakers if it takes some valuable downtime away from their primary stars.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
