LeBron James and Anthony Davis are two of the most talented basketball players in the NBA right now. They bring different skills to the table, making them formidable when they are on the court together. James, a four-time MVP and four-time NBA champion, has been a force in the league for two decades, while Davis, an eight-time All-Star, is known for his superb scoring and defensive abilities. Together, they form a formidable duo that has led their team, the Los Angeles Lakers, to the NBA championship in 2020.
- Scoring – LeBron James
- Shooting – LeBron James
- Athleticism – Anthony Davis
- Defense – Anthony Davis
- Handles – LeBron James
- Clutch – LeBron James
- Leadership – LeBron James
- Basketball IQ – LeBron James
- Impact – LeBron James
- Efficiency – Anthony Davis
- 1-On-1 Game – Anthony Davis
- Final Result
- LeBron James vs. Anthony Davis 7-4
While the two players have different skill sets, they complement each other well on the court. James, the team’s primary ball-handler, is known for his exceptional court vision and passing abilities. He can drive to the basket and score at will, but he is also capable of setting his teammates up for easy baskets. Additionally, James is an excellent rebounder and can effectively defend multiple positions on the court. His leadership, both on and off the court, is also a significant factor in his success. Davis, on the other hand, is known for his length and athleticism. He can score from all areas of the court, including mid-range jumpers, post-ups, and threes. His speed and agility are also an asset, allowing him to make quick moves and drive the ball to the hoop.
While both players are easily two of the greatest right now, which player is better? James is 38 years old and clearly not the same player he used to be, which is why he is even considering retiring from the game. Although, he still might be better than 90% of the league at his age. We all hope James does not retire and comes back because he clearly has a lot left in the rank following his 40-point performance in Game 4 in the Western Conference Finals. Anthony Davis is also a top-3 big man in the world and has transcendent skills on both ends of the court. We already saw how LeBron had to concede that his rival Stephen Curry at his age, but is this the case again? Is 30-year-old Davis a better player than 38-year-old LeBron James? It is time to find out.
Scoring – LeBron James
This season, James was still arguably the greatest player when it came to attacking the basket and finishing inside. Even if he did struggle from the perimeter in terms of percentages (only 32.1% shooting from three), James found it too easy to score the basketball even at 38 years old. He is still one of the largest and most impactful athletes in the game, and he benefitted playing against teams that field more guards than ever before, meaning James had a size advantage. Averaging 28.9 PPG in the regular season and 24.5 PPG in the playoffs, James was a sensational scorer.
Anthony Davis is certainly an elite scorer for his size. At 6’10” and with a wingspan of 7’6”, he is a physical specimen who uses his strength and athleticism to score. AD is a force inside the paint and is an excellent finisher around the rim. The big man also has a solid mid-range jumper, although his three-point shooting has been below-average in recent seasons. Using a mix of inside and perimeter scoring, Davis averaged 25.9 PPG in the regular season and 22.6 PPG in the playoffs this year. As versatile as Davis is offensively, he does not score as easily as James does right now.
Shooting – LeBron James
LeBron was not an elite shooter this season, but he is more consistent than Anthony Davis. James shot poorly from the free-throw line for his status (76.8% FT) and can’t make foul shots consistently. His three was also poor, 32.1%, and still attempted almost seven per game. However, if there was a three-point shot to be made, almost every head coach in the NBA would take LeBron over Davis. The King can make outside shots when he is in a rhythm, so he is still somewhat trustworthy, even if his percentages are poor.
Davis, on the other hand, has a good mid-range game but is not as reliable from beyond the arc. He shot just 25.7% from 3-point range during the regular season and only 33.3% from deep in the playoffs. However, Davis compensates with his athleticism, allowing him to create space for his shot and finish well at the rim. He is also a skilled post-up player, relying on his size and footwork to get his shot off, thanks to a fadeaway jumper. However, Davis is a poor three-point shooter and has been all year.
Athleticism – Anthony Davis
A prime LeBron James was the greatest physical specimen that we have ever seen. At 6’9” and at least 250 lbs, James was a locomotive when he attacked the rim and still does it at a high level. Even at his age right now, James can dominate a game completely due to his athleticism and pure force. There is no stopping The King when he gets ahead of steam and the play of letting LeBron attack the rim in crunch time is turning out to be the single most clutch move in the league right now. However, James is at his least athletic because his stamina is waning along with his vertical leap that used to shock people every night.
When it comes to athleticism, Anthony Davis is widely regarded as one of the most physically gifted players in the NBA as a big man. With a rare combination of size, speed, and agility, he can effortlessly glide across the court and dominate on both ends of the floor. Davis is known for his ability to run the floor, finish above the rim, and defend multiple positions with his length and quickness. No doubt, since James is 38 years old and certainly at his least explosive, Davis has to take the edge.
Defense – Anthony Davis
LeBron James was a dominant defensive player in his prime, making six All-Defensive Teams and coming close to winning Defensive Player of the Year as a member of the Miami Heat when he finished runner-up to Marc Gasol in 2013. However, this season, James has become inconsistent on defense due to the burden he has to carry on offense as a scorer and playmaker. Even if the chase-down block looks good, James’ defensive stats pale in comparison to Davis’. LeBron averaged 0.6 BPG and 0.9 SPG in the regular season, followed by 1.1 BPG and 1.1 SPG in the playoffs.
No matter his inconsistencies on offense, Anthony Davis is easily one of the best defensive players in the league, thanks to his excellent shot-blocking skills and quick reaction times. He has a high vertical leap that enables him to swat balls out of reach, and he’s also able to use his athleticism to contest perimeter shots. Davis averaged 2.0 BPG and 1.1 SPG in the regular season, followed by 3.1 BPG and 1.4 SPG in the playoffs, proving he is a far greater defender than a 38-year-old LeBron James.
Handles – LeBron James
LeBron James has a few moves that are hard to stop right now. When he backs up with the ball and goes one-on-one with a defender, everyone knows he is attacking the rim, and there is no stopping the 6’9” locomotive. James also has some better post moves around the rim and uses his pivot foot far greater than he used to. As a point forward, it is only natural that James has better handles than a big man who often has to rely on others to get the ball, and that includes Anthony Davis.
Anthony Davis, on the other hand, is not known for his ball-handling abilities but can hold his own at times. Davis is capable of dribbling and driving to the basket, but his primary role on offense is not to run the offense or facilitate plays. Nonetheless, his size and athleticism make him a formidable force in the paint, and he often relies on his agility to make his way to the basket. Since Davis relies on James to get the ball, The King takes this advantage quite clearly.
Clutch – LeBron James
LeBron James’ critics about clutch ability have somewhat disappeared, although the likes of Skip Bayless will keep beating the drum about it. LeBron has improved his clutch decision-making in recent seasons because, with experience, he has seen every scenario. Not to mention, The King will always make the right play and that counts in clutch moments.
James is willing to pass up big shots if it means his teammate gets a better look, and that means he is more reliable than the often inconsistent Anthony Davis. Whether it comes to scoring, making the right play, or letting others have the spotlight, James is certainly more trustworthy than Davis in critical moments and his three-year run of highlights proves this.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis has had clutch moments in the past, including a game-winner against the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the 2020 Western Conference Finals, which was certainly impressive and a series-changing bucket.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJOkrA3VB7c
But Davis has been unreliable since, and his poor shooting percentages in recent seasons mean that the Lakers want James taking clutch shots instead. The 8-time All-Star is by no means a liability, but he can’t be trusted to make the right plays as well as the experienced King. No doubt, despite his willingness to pass up clutch shots, James is more clutch than Davis.
Leadership – LeBron James
Nobody uplifts teammates like LeBron James. He never puts a foot wrong off the court and is a pristine leader when it comes to setting an example of how to act as a basketball player and global icon. James makes his teammates better, no question about that, and that is an act of leadership. James has done a tremendous job keeping the Lakers afloat despite the turbulent season that saw Russell Westbrook leave on a bad note. LeBron is actually beloved and respected by his peers and that’s because of his leadership skills.
On the other hand, Davis can only lead through his dominant performances and experience. His big-time performances at times make him a role model for his teammates. However, nobody mistakes the often-injured and moody Davis as a natural-born leader. He never had success in the postseason until he joined LeBron in Los Angeles and that shows how much he has benefited from the King’s presence. This is an easy category win for one of the game’s greatest leaders in LeBron James.
Basketball IQ – LeBron James
Basketball IQ is a critical component in any player’s success, and both LeBron James and Anthony Davis have demonstrated a high level of basketball IQ throughout their careers. LeBron James is one of the smartest players of all time, and his ability to set up his teammates with passing is unreal. The King averaged 6.8 APG despite being a small forward who is also a primary scoring option, a testament to his greatness as a leader and floor general. LeBron also chipped in 8.3 RPG while scoring 28.9 PPG and had to carry a heavy load at 38 years old. In the playoffs, James posted 6.5 APG, which shows again how elite his basketball IQ is.
Davis, on the other hand, is known for his versatility on both ends of the court and clearly has a high basketball IQ by being able to dominate and guard multiple positions. Davis has also demonstrated patience and decisiveness when it comes to shot selection and is often able to anticipate where the ball is going next and adjust his positioning accordingly. Davis is basically pure as an offensive player, which is why there is so much pressure on him to succeed every game. The 8-time All-Star is one of the smartest bigs of all time, but he is not on the level of LeBron James, the NBA’s leading scorer.
Impact – LeBron James
LeBron James’ impact as an all-around player is truly incredible and could be the greatest triple-double threat of all time. The King can put up a triple-double during any game at this moment in time, and as a passer, he makes everyone better. James is still impacting the game at a high level, although he is not quite as dominant as he used to be. The King has some games where he is a bystander because he can’t have MVP performances every time at 38 years old. Still, averaging 28.9 PPG in the regular season with a PER of 23.9 while posting 24.5 PPG in the postseason shows how consistent The King has been. LeBron has also been more impactful than Anthony Davis.
On the other hand, Davis has made a significant impact on both ends of the court this season. This season, Davis averaged 25.9 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and 2.0 BPG in the regular season with a PER of 27.8. The big man was also robbed of an All-Star appearance and followed up his regular season campaign with 22.6 PPG, 14.1 RPG, and 3.1 BPG. Whether he focuses on offense or defense, Davis is impactful, but he is not on the level of LeBron James.
Efficiency – Anthony Davis
LeBron James was extremely efficient when he got around the basket. James shot 50.0% from the field this year, including 58.0% on two-point field goals, and that is a testament to that. His free-throw shooting wasn’t great, as 76.8% is not poor but not on the level of an elite star. LeBron also shot 32.1% from deep and that won’t cut it under most circumstances. In terms of PER, James had a 23.9 rating which is impressive for a 38-year-old but not on the level of Davis. James’ shooting of 26.4% from deep in the playoffs shows James was at his least efficient self.
Anthony Davis, on the other hand, is known for his efficiency as a scorer, although he has been streaky over the past few seasons. This season, the Lakers’ star big man shot 56.3% from the field, 25.7% from deep, and 78.5% from the free-throw line. In the playoffs, Davis shot 52.0% from the field, 33.3% from deep, and 85.2% from the stripe. Davis shot a higher percentage from the field and from the free-throw line while also consistently coming up with blocks and a higher PER. Davis takes the efficiency category.
1-On-1 Game – Anthony Davis
Even at 38 years old, LeBron James was still a force in one-on-one situations because he had the size to punish defenders, especially when around the rim. Due to his pure size at 6’9” and 250 lbs, James was able to bully smaller players, including most forwards in the modern NBA. In some circumstances, James has punished centers as well. However, LeBron has lost his explosiveness a little bit and that means better defenders in the league will be able to challenge his drives to the basket better than ever before.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is a skilled inside scorer with great footwork and agility, making him tough to guard in the paint. His length and athleticism allow him to get to the rim quickly, and his shooting ability from outside the arc adds another dimension to his game. He’s also a strong defender who can switch and guard multiple positions effortlessly. In two-way play, Davis edges James, but he is also a better one-on-one player right now due to his age and size. Defensively, Davis can also handle any one-on-one situation.
Final Result
LeBron James vs. Anthony Davis 7-4
In the end, there is no doubt that LeBron James is still a better player than Anthony Davis as the two stars of the Los Angeles Lakers. The King is a more dominant player in terms of using his basketball IQ, playmaking, and leadership to lead his team to victories. James has been far more consistent than Davis this season and will never have a game in which he is not the primary factor for his side, even if he struggles from the perimeter.
James is a better shooter, passer, and leader, while Davis has more offensive moves and a better defensive game. Even at 38 years old, LeBron means more to the Lakers than Davis does because his leadership cannot be quantified. James takes the blame when the team does poorly and that kind of pressure can only be carried on the broad shoulders of a 4-time MVP. If this was a comparison done a few years ago, James would have swept through most of the categories, but he has certainly aged and Davis has caught up to him in many attributes.
Anthony Davis is the X-factor because James needs a player to rely on night in and night out. His size, defense, and scoring ability are critical to the Lakers’ title chances because The King can’t do it on his own. The big man is younger at 30 years old, but he is still not a better player than LeBron James, who is currently weighing out whether it is worth it to retire from the game he has dominated for so long.
