Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel confirmed that Anthony Davis is taking another step forward in his rehab process this week and will begin spot shooting in Los Angeles on Monday, writes ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN had reported on Saturday that this step was anticipated, indicating that the Lakers were encouraged by Davis’ recovery from a right foot strain that he suffered nearly a month ago.
Davis, who hadn’t spoken to the media since he went down with his foot injury, made himself available to reporters on Sunday and expressed hope that he’ll be back in the Lakers’ lineup before the regular season ends on April 10.
“I’m very optimistic about it,” Davis said, per McMenamin. “I’m trying to get back on the court as soon as possible. As far as a number or something, I would love to say 100 but with only a certain amount of games yet, not 100 percent sure.”
Davis also made a few more noteworthy comments during his media session, which took place before the Suns blew out the Lakers by 29 points at Phoenix’s Footprint Center. Here are some of the highlights from Davis, via McMenamin:
On his first thoughts when he injured his foot on February 16:
“The first thing I thought was, ‘Not again.’ I just got off of [being sidelined] four-to-six [weeks]. Now I got another four-to-six. So that’s where the anger came from. … It was a little bit of relief that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but more so anger of, ‘Here we go again.'”
On wanting to make the most of LeBron James continuing to play at a high level at age 37:
“We don’t know how long he has left in this league. Phenomenal player, future Hall-of-Famer, and to be able to play alongside him, you want to take advantage of it. We did the first year. Last year we both were banged up, and then this year, it’s [injuries] again but moreso me. So every day [the window is] closing. That’s another frustrating part. A lot of guys don’t get to play with talent like that. I have the opportunity to do so. … I want to take advantage of that time.
“He has another year left with the Lakers … and then who knows? I don’t know what he’s going to do. So we got this year and next year to try to take advantage of that and get another ring out of it.”
On his belief that the Lakers would’ve beaten the Suns in the first round of the 2021 playoffs if he hadn’t gotten injured in Game 4:
“I think we know that, I think they know that. I just feel like they just got away with one.”
Lakers lose in Play In, no doubt about it.
Talks too much. Plays too little.
This is the first time he has talked to the media in a month
And yet the previous comment is still true
Noodle Man speaks! (AD is Adrian Dantley) This iteration of those initials is NOODLE MAN.
This man on his third our fourth extended injury this season and Zion still not back.
Funnier than that, we’ll see MPJ, Jamal Murray, Zion, and the 9th iteration of AD play this season before Ben Simmons suits up for Brookyln
Sure thing Streetclothes
So cringe to hear AD trying to talk trash, especially about the Suns
This is a contract that’s not aging well…nor is he based on all the injuries.
You have to wonder how fast an even older AD will heal from the many injuries he’s suffered over the years.
Oh my god just shut up with the Lakers-Suns from last year thing. Even had you not been hurt the Suns were a better team, stop disrespecting what they did last year.
The Suns played 2 games without CP3 plus 1 game where he couldn’t even shoot! Even with AD, the Suns win the series and Mr. Streetclothes knows that.
Stop wearing low-tops dude. Gotta protect ankles and knees.
AD from “SoftSide of Chicago” …..
Come see the softer side of Sears tower
AD knows what he talks about… much to learn from him, but the good ole boys here just prefer to hate than to learn, right?