Anthony Davis is brushing off concerns about his weight heading into the new season. In a recent chat with the media, the Mavericks big man explained that putting on extra pounds in the summer is part of his yearly routine, saying he quickly sheds the weight during training camp and feels great about where his body is at.
“I feel good,” said Davis, via Tim MacMahon. “I kind of almost do that going into every season, because I put on so much weight over the summer, then by the time November comes, I’m usually like 255, 258. I never want to come in at my playing weight, because then I lose weight during the season and then I’m too small. I lose about 10 to 12 pounds very quickly. During camp, I already lost five pounds – all the running and playing. So l’m never concerned about that. I feel great. I’m moving great. I feel good.”
The Mavericks traded Luka Doncic in February over concerns about his conditioning and training habits. Now, it’s Anthony Davis who is facing similar concerns. In recent photos and media appearances, fans have noted Davis looking particularly weighty and it was confirmed that he gained at least 15 pounds from this point last year.
For a player who is already notoriously fragile, adding pounds likely only increases the risk for injuries and other on-court setbacks. At the very least, it would hamper conditioning, mobility, and speed. So to see Davis come in at this size was not ideal for Mavericks fans but they were quickly reminded that Davis has a different process than the typical NBA star.
As a versatile big man who can play center or power forward, Davis has to keep on enough weight to keep up against bigger defenders and contest the stronger scorers like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Of course, he also has to maintain his durability while ensuring he can keep up with smaller, craftier players.
With averages of 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season, Davis proved he still has plenty of elite basketball ahead of him. The question is, how can the Mavericks tap into that and make the most of whatever time he has left? With Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson, the pieces are already in place for a successful season and the return of Kyrie Irving will only help their chances.
All eyes are on Anthony Davis for the upcoming season and it’s the first time since his Pelicans days that he’s been the star of the show. Despite what the scale might say, Davis says he’s never felt better and if he can just stay healthy, it’s a recipe for success in the NBA. If not, however, these weight issues will start to feel like repetition for Mavericks fans who had to hear all summer how out of shape Luka Doncic was.
At the end of the day, Davis knows the criticism isn’t going anywhere, and the only way to silence it is by staying on the court. If he holds up and delivers the way he says he can, the Mavericks have a legitimate shot at making noise in the West. But if his health slips again, those weight concerns will only grow louder, and Dallas could be stuck reliving the same frustrating cycle all over again.
