Los Angeles Lakers fans were in disbelief to see Anthony Davis not make any of the All-Defensive teams this season.
The former NBA champion has made the first and the second teams twice between 2015 to 2020 and was one of the surprise omissions this season. This had Lakers faithful sharing their two cents on his snub.
One of the fans felt he was robbed.
Robbed , the best defensive player in the game! https://t.co/ErmqbYir4W
— C Jones (@_jonesss) May 9, 2023
Some felt this was the much-need motivation for Davis to help the Lakers go the distance this season.
Motivation for Him. https://t.co/bUjCw4cxcs
— The Dreamer (@DegueJean) May 9, 2023
A segment of fans wanted Davis to take this personally.
AD i need you to take this personal just the way book took the allstar snub personal. @AntDavis23 https://t.co/7dfxXtMqIO
— 𝕾𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝕾𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖙 (@laurentthegoat) May 9, 2023
For some Lakers fans, a championship mattered more than an award.
It’s cool we winning a championship better https://t.co/ZmlOWPFdOF
— Kenny 🧘🏻♂️🍁 (@k_valo21) May 9, 2023
Earlier, Davis’ game was dissected by The Athletic’s Sam Amick who lavished praise on the center after their Game 4 win against the Golden State Warriors.
“It was the kind of defensive effort that Lakers of all ages are giving these days, but it all starts and ends with Davis on that end,” Amick wrote. “For all of the frustrations that come with his offensive inconsistency, his defense has been lifting these Lakers ever since these playoffs began.”
Davis has blown hot and cold on the offensive end for LA in the playoffs but has been instrumental on the defensive part, prompting Darvin Ham to draw parallels with the famed 2004 Detroit Pistons squad.
As far as the 2022-23 All-Defense list goes, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks), Alex Caruso (Chicago Bulls), Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers), and Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks) made the first team.
Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), OG Anunoby (Toronto Raptors), Dillon Brooks (Memphis Grizzlies), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), and Derrick White (Boston Celtics) rounded up the second unit.
Anthony Davis Played Scintillating Defense In Game 4 Against The Warriors
To further prove why he deserved to be on the All-Defensive team, Davis was prolific on the defense, locking up Stephen Curry in Game 4. And he was proud of his efforts which he later outlined to the reporters after the clash.
“I pride myself on defense,” Davis said. “They wanted obviously to switch with me and I took that personally. I know where he gets to, like his step back three and I just wanted to move my puppies… I just wanted to move their puppies and keep them in front and make him take a tough shot and that’s what I did.”
Davis is averaging 21.4 PPG, 14.0 RPG, and 2.6 APG, coupled with 1.5 SPG and an impressive 3.7 BPG in the playoffs. While he didn’t have a block in Game 4, he still finished with a crucial 23 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.
Now, he will look to perhaps take his snub personally again and that would mean good news for LA, who will be keen to put away the Warriors in Game 5 at the Chase Center.
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