Playing for the Lakers comes with added attention, scrutiny and a spotlight unlike most other places in the NBA. Anthony Davis is quickly adjusting to that environment in his first year with the Lakers and he takes pride in thriving it.
“It just shows the world,” Davis said. “I think the world didn’t believe that I was able to do the same things in ‘the spotlight.’”
Davis and LeBron James take turns addressing the media during practices in Los Angeles. Having James on the team alleviates the pressure for Davis to speak with reporters at times and James, who is one of the most scrutinized athletes of all time, lending Davis plenty of advice since he came out west.
“At the end of the day, we’re all human, so you have great days and sometimes you have bad days. And I think he’s handled it as well as you can, as well as any human can, and he’s enjoying the process, being in a situation like you said he hasn’t been in before,” James said. “He got some of it last year … everybody was bringing his name up, every talk show, every radio show if you watch that type of stuff, his name was being mentioned. So a lot of the attention there, and rightfully so. That’s the caliber of basketball player he is. So I think he’s handled it with a lot of gracefulness, and it’s pretty cool to be around.”
Rajon Rondo, who played in both New Orleans and Los Angeles with Davis, believes the big man is well-suited to handle the spotlight.
“It’s a big shock, big difference,” Rondo said. “From a media standpoint, I’m sure there were days in New Orleans where he didn’t have to talk to media even though he’s Anthony Davis. … He’s born for this. He hasn’t had it in his career but he’s born for it.”
James is doing it right, and Davis must be benefitting… James is (and has been) able to carry the weight of attention, of the franchise… But James keeps trying to turn it over to Davis. James will say that the Lakers are Davis’ team. This year James is gunning for assists and Davis is trying 3s. It’s working & both are fulltime.
Oh please LeBron thinks he is the team. Davis is the better player at this point in their careers. LeBron knows he needs Davis to win a championship because without Davis they might not be good enough to be in the playoffs.
Everyday this man has something to say about the Lakers lol. Lebron has been a great team player this year and they are functioning just fine. “Without Davis they might not be good enough to make the playoffs”.. Well good thing they went out and got him. Oh I forgot you think that makes them entitled because they dared to make a trade to compete against the Warriors. 16-2
No i think its funny the Lakers think every player wants to be on their team. You just better hope Davis resigns with them. Davis wasn’t loyal to his last team so he could leave and go join Leonard across the way.
They don’t think that but sure tell yourself that. The Clippers would not even have cap room for that and AD is not going to turn down 40 million to cross the hall. But its not surprising you say that since your takes are not based on reality.
KD turned down more money to leave GS. LeBron turned down his hometown and more money to leave Cleveland. AD would turn down more money. same reason AD will leave LA to be the main guy. Why do you get so emotional when somebody makes a comment you don’t agree with? Not all players play just for the money. the endorsement deals pay out much more.
Have you read the reports on this topic? Every source says its a lock for him to stay even notorious Laker hater woj. He does not care one bit about being “the man” and the Lakers are playing just fine as a group. Where would he go? Knicks? LOL. Clippers, Rockets, Jazz, Nuggets, 76ers, Celtics, Warriors, Mavericks, Bucks dont have cap room. So where is he going the Hawks. Yeah sure
Just about every great player lives in Los Angeles in the off season.
Davis would be stupid to re-sign with the Lakers, that team has done nothing for years now. At least they should finally make the playoffs for the first time in forever, but aside from LeBron who has any real experience in the postseason? AD has played a total of 13 games during the playoffs throughout his 7-year career. That’s almost no experience at all.
Oh boy you are more delusional every single day, you mean Houston has no experience in playoffs, you see that works.
Lakers have got too much playoff experience, Rondo has a championship been a main guy, Green has a championship been a main guy, JaVale has 2 championships, DH12 all alone took a bad team to the finals, Bradley has experience too, DMC (if he can play) has been to the finals as well.
Summarizing if Lakers haven’t got no playoff experience, no one, I repeat no team in the league does.
For a fan of a team that hasn’t done anything in 25 years, you talk a ton of trash.
I believe it can only be Davis’s team if he takes over in the playoffs. It’s a nice gesture by James though.
That’s the big question for the Lakers this season. People quickly forget how little playoff experience AD had in New Orleans. He lead the Pelicans to the playoffs just twice in 7 years with a 5-8 postseason record. He has a lot to prove next April.
I believe it can only be Davis’s team if he takes over in the playoffs. It’s a nice gesture by James though.
Its cute seeing Davis pretend to be a leader.