Anthony Davis is arguably one of the best two-way big men in the NBA when he is healthy. It wasn’t long ago that people were having debates about picking either Giannis Antetokounmpo or AD, with many picking AD for his shooting stroke, which is more reliable than Giannis’s.
In the last 2 years, Giannis has gone from strength to strength and cemented himself in the top-3 of the NBA, while AD’s injury proneness has held him back from realizing his full potential. Despite that, many people rate him extremely highly for when he can be healthy and contribute to the Lakers. The gulf between him and Giannis can be seen when you look at their NBA 2K ratings.
NBA 2K has rated Anthony Davis as 90 overall for the upcoming iteration of NBA 2K23, 7 lower than Giannis’s game-leading 97. This has caused fans to debate over whether AD deserves this rating after his troubles over the last few seasons.
Anthony Davis is reportedly a 90 overall in NBA 2K23.
Too high, too low, or just right? pic.twitter.com/fnSq3EUV9E
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 6, 2022
Just right for now. He was either injured or coming off an injury all last season. If he can stay healthy heβll move up to a 94
— Truth Tella (@Tella1Truth) September 6, 2022
Should be higher lol
— π€πππ¨πππ¨π€π£ ππππ γ°οΈ (@MANOMAGlC) September 6, 2022
Too high, bro never plays
— βΌοΈ (@MassageByWatson) September 6, 2022
Too high 88-89 fine
— Ran (@ranthaadon) September 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/MasterSage_/status/1566995178921000961
Drurability is 45 tho
— Confused Houston Fan πππ (@Snyphe) September 6, 2022
When healthy is he at least a 92
— JEast_Texas4L (@J_ESPN214) September 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/heyMrcass/status/1566995297720475648https://twitter.com/misterLiko/status/1566995464930590721
As long as his durability rating is 30 thatβs fine
— Xavier (@XavierRoshon) September 6, 2022
Is 2022-23 Going To Be Do-Or-Die For Anthony Davis?
Anthony Davis is being doubted more now than he has been at any point in his career. The injury concerns were there even when the Lakers acquired him in 2019, but nobody expected them to compound so much over the last few seasons. The last time we saw a fully healthy Anthony Davis, he was lifting the NBA Championship over his head in the 2020 Orlando bubble.
LeBron James and Darvin Ham have already said that the Lakers expect to run through Anthony Davis. LBJ shouldn’t have to carry such a heavy load entering Year 20 of his career, but it is tough to put too much pressure on AD considering his questionable durability.
Hopefully, the lengthy offseason the Lakers have had on account of missing the playoffs does AD’s body some good, and he can come into training camp in the best shape of his life. The Lakers don’t look like contenders with the roster they have, but if LeBron and AD can be the best versions of themselves, the Lakers could catapult themselves into the Western Conference playoff picture.
