Anthony Davis’ play deteriorated in the seasons after winning the title in 2020 and he has had to endure a lot of criticism because of it.
Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal took a shot at him last month, saying Davis “fell off” after that title run. The big man has been on a tear after Shaq made those comments and when he was asked about Davis’ recent play, O’Neal claimed it was all part of his plan.
“Been good,” O’Neal said on The Big Podcast (starts at the 29:24 mark) about Davis’ recent displays. “Then my plan is working. What you got to understand about Shaquille O’Neal is I’m a strategist.”
When co-host Nischelle Turner told him to not claim he did it on purpose, O’Neal replied, “I did. You either respond or you don’t respond.”
Davis responded in a big way. In three games in March, he is averaging 35.7 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 2.0 BPG. He was especially great in their last game against the Memphis Grizzlies, putting up 30 points, 22 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Davis has been playing at the MVP level this season when LeBron James has been out and the Lakers need him to keep it up. The win over the Grizzlies improved their record to 32-34 and they are now the 9th seed in the Western Conference.
Davis has been so good recently that head coach Darvin Ham has given him a new nickname, “Wilt Davis.” Comparing a big man to Wilt Chamberlain is just about as high a praise as one can give to them and it speaks to how impressed Ham has been with AD. As for Shaq, it would appear there is some truth to what he was saying.
Shareef O’Neal Said His Father Wants Players To Prove Him Wrong
When the Lakers traded for Rui Hachimura earlier this year, O’Neal said he had no idea who he was. Kevin Durant called out Shaq for it in response but his son Shareef O’Neal said it was just his father’s way of motivating players.
Shareef said his father wants players to shut him up and prove him wrong, as Davis seems to have done here. Maybe it was all really just his plan as Shaq said and the Lakers would be glad he chose to do it.
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