After winning an NBA championship in 2020, Anthony Davis’ stint with the Lakers has seemingly stalled. Many felt that winning an NBA championship after years of being on a poor New Orleans Pelicans team, Davis would take the next step in his career and become an even bigger star.
But since that time, Davis has actually regressed. Last season, Davis spent most of the year on the sidelines thanks to a calf-strain injury.
And upon returning, he was not playing at the same level fans had gotten accustomed to during his first year in LA. Davis was spectacular at the start, averaging 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks a game. Not to mention, he was a major contender for Defensive Player Of The Year.
And this season has been no different, with Davis putting up some of the worst numbers of his career from the three-point line and mid-range. One NBA fan called out Davis, saying that he won one NBA championship and stopped taking basketball seriously.
https://twitter.com/thtguybev/status/1464662398883749890
Fans had mixed reactions to this comment. Some agreed with the remark, pointing to the fact that Davis’ numbers have not been close to what they were during the Lakers’ championship-winning 2019-20 NBA season. Whereas others pointed out that AD playing at the center position means his shooting stats shouldn’t really matter.
No, this stat says his shooting is terrible and also that he just keep shooting. There's a reason his on/off numbers are atrocious.
— My throwaway account (@deprivedofh20) November 28, 2021
Dude could play like giannis but he decided to try and he Kobe for no reason bro it’s so annoying
— LeCarry the lakers (@Paaaauuullllll) November 27, 2021
AD said: pic.twitter.com/cIRf1KM8Cw
— I SIMP for sir matt from chicago (@ginacrabbaby) November 28, 2021
Nah, we'll only swap him for Giannis or Tatum
— Godson (@Godsongizze) November 27, 2021
He could prove he has the ability to be consistently good, or prove he can keep himself healthy, or prove he can be the #1 option on a championship team. But nah. Dude gave up 🤣
— ProReNata (P.R.N.) (@realcassports) November 27, 2021
https://twitter.com/Lamarvelous8hu1/status/1464662982562959360
To shoot better pic.twitter.com/erTVVQPdDi
— Omega (@OmegaWOmega) November 27, 2021
https://twitter.com/2EZ4LAKERSTZY/status/1464771129436823557https://twitter.com/2EZ4LAKERSTZY/status/1464770447367491586
have u seen ad play before the bubble? theres a reason lebron wanted him in LA dude
— moustafa (@chameleonpaint_) November 27, 2021
Davis has been putting up decent numbers, averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds per game. But a closer look at the advanced stats shows how poor he has been. Davis is currently has a +/- of -3.7. That is worse than Russell Westbrook, who has also played poorly this season.
Clearly, Davis has lost some of the shooting touches he had in the past. And his performances recently suggest that he’s making dominance in the paint a bigger focal point. But there is an argument to be made that he has fallen off since the championship win.
Davis had a decent performance against the Detroit Pistons, scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds. On top of that, this seemed like the first performance where the Lakers’ big three stepped up. LeBron James agreed with Kendrick Perkins that they have to perform this way on a consistent basis, sending a message to AD and Russ too.
The Lakers will be hoping that Davis finds that form once again, or gets even better than that. AD is the long-term superstar for the Lakers, the man who is supposed to lead the team once LeBron James leaves the Lakers. But his current trajectory will be a massive cause for concern.
