Anthony Davis made a statement with his dominant performance in the 110-103 Los Angeles Lakers win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, putting up 36 points, 16 rebounds, one steal, and three blocks. It was a sensational performance while being guarded by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. Davis seemingly took a shot at Gobert when asked about his blocks in a post-game interview.
“Defensive Player of the Year type stuff.”
Davis had some emphatic plays at Gobert’s expense, including an early candidate for block of the year with his swat of a jump hook by Gobert.
ANTHONY DAVIS DENIES GOBERT. 🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 23, 2024
The Lakers big man also had a defining bucket on Gobert in the fourth quarter which helped the Lakers take a double-digit lead late in the game and ride that out to the win. Gobert ended the game with 13 points, 14 rebounds, and one block.
Davis went 3-3 in the fourth and put up 11 points in a dominant showing with Gobert as his direct matchup. He was the best player on the court for the Lakers and has set an incredible tone for the season with his two-way performance in this win tonight.
Anthony Davis Has Never Won Defensive Player Of The Year
Anthony Davis has been one of the best defenders in the NBA over the last decade but has made the All-Defensive First Team just three times, including last season. He’s also a three-time blocks leader but has never won Defensive Player of the Year in an era dominated by Rudy Gobert, who’s won it four times over this span.
After not being named a finalist for DPOY last season, Davis made his dissatisfaction with the awards criteria clear. He declared he would likely never win the award because the league simply doesn’t like him and that he’ll be refocusing his efforts on helping his team win.
“I’ll never get it. They’re not giving it to me. The league doesn’t like me. I’m the best defensive player in the league. I can switch 1 through 5. I can guard the pick-and-roll the best in the league, from a big standpoint. I block shots. I rebound.
“I don’t know what else to do. I’m over it. I’m just going to do what I got to do to help the team win and try to play for a championship. Accolades and individual awards, I’m done with those.”
Davis averaged 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.3 blocks last season, excelling on both ends of the court. If he wants to hunt a DPOY award by stat-padding, he could easily do that, but even he knows that leading the Lakers to wins would automatically strengthen his case for the award.
Victor Wembanyama is considered the runaway favorite for the award this season after his second-place finish in the race last year behind Gobert. Wembanyama ranked that highly despite the San Antonio Spurs going 22-60 because his defensive stats (1.2 SPG, 3.6 BPG) were unmatchable.
Davis won’t have the raw stats to compete with what Wembanyama will produce over the season. His best bet to challenge the French center would be to lead the Lakers to a top-five defensive rating as their primary enforcer. If the Timberwolves game was anything to go by, he’s well on his way to doing just that.
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