Lakers power forward Anthony Davis says he’s never failed at anything and is confident he’ll win a championship during his career, as he told ESPN personality Sarah Spain in a story relayed by Dave McMenamin. “If I don’t win a championship that would be, I would feel that’s one of my biggest failures. But right now, I still have a lot to do in this world on and off the court,” Davis said. “So I don’t feel like I’ve failed in anything. I think I just continue to do it over until I succeed at it.”
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Warriors swingman Damion Lee will likely have a greater role than a typical two-way player, Anthony Slater of The Athletic writes. Beyond D’Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson‘s replacement as he mends from an ACL tear, the Warriors have an unimposing group of wings that include Jordan Poole, Eric Paschall, Jacob Evans, Alfonzo McKinnie, Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks. That puts Lee in position to fill a role as a floor spacer, Slater notes. Lee agreed to a two-way deal on Sunday.
- Money was a major factor in Russell’s free agent decision, as his former Nets teammate and new Lakers forward Jared Dudley told Ethan Strauss of The Athletic. Russell received four years and approximately $117MM in a sign-and-trade that raised some eyebrows since he’ll have to move to shooting guard with the Warriors. “D’Angelo wanted to get the max. So I’m not surprised,” Dudley said. “He would’ve gone to, you know, Saudi Arabia, if he could have gotten the max there. I’m not surprised he took that.”
- With the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Clippers coach Doc Rivers feels like he’s been given another chance to win a ring, as he told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. Rivers’ club repeatedly came up short during the Chris Paul–Blake Griffin era with the franchise. “I view this as another opportunity to win it,” he said. “And let’s be honest: You don’t have a lot of opportunities to actually win it. When you have that, you take advantage of it.”
“Coming up short” is a very polite way of referring to a team that couldn’t get out of the second round
They were good, real good, just not great like they should have been.
They were a playoff team that’s about it. The could put up highlights but that’s about it
“…and is confident he’ll win a championship during his career…”
Wonder where he’ll sign next in order to accomplish that?
We got Anthony Davis?!!! Yes!!!! That’s guys a beast!!!
Sure would like to have been there to see exactly how Jared Dudley said what he did about Russell.
Playful jab, matter-of-fact statement, or indictment? Hard to tell for sure without hearing it straight from Dudley.
Seems a little salty to me. How many players DONT want the max contract? Plus, it’s not like he took the max from a lottery team
Exactly.. and a max from arguably the best team in the NBA at that.
“Money was a major factor in Russell’s free agent decision” No….really? Most guys in free agency could care less about money.
When Doc says another opportunity is he referring to the Celtics or them and also the Paul Griffin Clippers? Sounds like possibly the former. If so, what a sleaze. Over four year span Clips had three years of one All NBA first team and one All NBA second team and then a year of one All NBA second team and two All NBA third teams. I wonder how many teams in history can match that type of premier talent level, probably two three dozen.
I wonder if Dudley doesn’t like Russell. I think he fits well with the warriors. He’s making max money AND has an opportunity to play with Steph, Klay, and Draymond (who will be better without Durant). That team will compete if they can improve that bench somehow. If they can hang in until klay comes back in April, they will be dangerous come the playoffs.
AD will win a championship as long as he stays alongside the NBA ref’s favorite player.
Harden?