After being limited to just 76 in the last two seasons, Anthony Davis is determined to have a healthier year in 2022/23. Speaking to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, The Lakers star said he’s so excited for the coming season that he has “goosebumps,” adding that he’s “looking forward to a healthy year.”
“I went into this summer focusing on strengthening my body,” Davis told Haynes. “I have to be on the court and at my best to put us in position to be our best. I’m ready to do that.”
Davis has played more than 70 regular season games just twice in his 10-year career, so the Lakers would likely be thrilled to see him surpass that benchmark. However, the eight-time All-Star told reporters this week that he has loftier expectations for himself.
“I want to be able to play all 82 (games),” Davis said, per Kyle Goon of The Southern California News Group. “And if I’m not, I don’t want it to be injury-based where I can’t play. That’s my goal. The more I’m on the floor, the more I can help my team and its chance of winning when I’m playing.”
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- With Monte McNair entering the final year of his contract, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive said on Wednesday that he’s happy with the job the general manager has done, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. However, the two sides have been “too focused on the season” to discuss a possible contract extension, according to Ranadive. “Monte, (assistant GM) Wes (Wilcox), the whole front office, the coaches they hired, the coaching staff, the process they went through, the trades they made, the rookie they picked, I’m very pleased with everything that’s happened,” Ranadive said. “I think right now the focus is: Let’s win.”
- The Clippers are taking a cautious approach this preseason with a handful of veteran players, with head coach Tyronn Lue announcing on Thursday that Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, John Wall, and Reggie Jackson won’t play in the team’s preseason opener in Seattle on Friday (Twitter link via Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times). The Warriors are going the same route with Klay Thompson, holding him out of the club’s two preseason contests in Japan, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
- The Warriors‘ preseason opener on Friday showed the new simplified offensive role the team envisions for center James Wiseman, who was primarily used as a slasher and roller en route to a 20-point, eight-rebound game, Slater writes for The Athletic.
- Logan Murdock of The Ringer takes a look at the Warriors‘ efforts to balance their title defense in the short term with their vision of the franchise in the long term.
Well, we all want that, AD!
Wiseman is going to put up absurd numbers if healthy if he has Curry feeding him all game.
You wanted to trade him. My how quick you guys turn.
Honestly, if Davis plays 60 games and is available and healthy for the postseason should the Lakers get that far (which they should if he plays 60 games), pretty much anybody would call that a win for AD.
The key to lakers success is Westbrook
Lakers will win championship if his contract is underpaid or he is on mvp conversation
Big if
Crazy if?
Over the last six years (after his MVP season), Russ is third in points, first in assists, and ninth in rebounds among all NBA players. Man’s still an extremely productive player. His problem with the Lakers is that he was an awful fit for the team and had to play around the margins. Of course he regressed; he was nothing like his usual self. He’s still a poor fit, but with a better supporting cast and a year’s worth of fitting in, he should at least do better than last year if nothing else.
We all have seen Wiseman dunk and block already his rookie year. He needs to read and play defense, and not commit silly fouls. Finally, he and Kuminga needs to improve FT.
Jeez…Wiseman has only played 40 games as a Pro. Get real. Let him play and grow before you chuck him aside like roadkill. Kuminga shot 70% from the charity stripe last season. Not at all bad for a rookie. Give him an actual chance to develop.
Seriously Green and Iggy are there to keep Wiseman and Kuminga on the right track. Ring first glory second. Wiseman will have a big year this year.
No. Dejan is there to keep Wiseman on track.
We all love Wiseman, but let’s not give him a free pass. Dont forget he was #2 pick. Ok?? Yes, Wiseman plays different position than Edwards and LeMelo and players develop differently, but he still needs to contribute this yr. Dont care about his perimeter shooting or scoring…. just hustle, play defense, block and rebound. He should easily average double double this season and that’s minimum expectation from #2 pick.
The season hasn’t even began and you want to get rid of him. Remind us of how many players you have developed. Oh, that’s right. None.
AD: wear high tops!
Those Kobes you like don’t work for PF/C like you…
These guys are afraid that if they wear high tops then their knee gets blown out. They’d rather have a sprained ankle than a sprained knee ligament.
Mid-tops, maybe?
AD gotta stop with these injuries. He’s so good when healthy.
Would love to see him perform at the highest level again.
Why would high tops have impact on your knees?
If you’re going down and something is going to give because of your fall or how you land, then some guys would rather have the ankle take all the weight and twist rather than the knee. I guess if the ankle is tightened up then something else has to absorb the awkward falling weight? It’s science. Just kidding LOL.
@phillyballer They don’t. They also don’t effect ankle injuries.