The wingspan, despite a frail appearance, is already impressive; the monobrow well in place. And Anthony Davis already torments the London baskets. The future Hornets player, drafted a few weeks earlier in first position, takes his first steps on the Olympic stage among the stars, in 2012.
Kobe Bryant is there, as are Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, and chief distributors Chris Paul and Deron Williams to get the 19-year-old rookie into orbit. Not to mention his future Lakers teammate, LeBron James.
” I was a briefcase carrier straight out of college. Being part of it today and having playing time makes me appreciate things differently “, “AD” confides today.
That year, the Americans adorned themselves with gold, but the young interior, blocked by Kevin Love or Tyson Chandler, was only allowed 8 minutes of play on average. Time to bring about 4 points and 3 rebounds per game.
His first against Spurs
The statistical output is meager, but not the experience stored. In contact with ” Melo, Kobe, Bron, (Andre) Iguodala, James Harden, Russ (Westbrook), KD, Kevin Love “, the interior, rather than playing in the Summer League, observes ” their work ethic, their professionalism, the way they approached the game “.
So much so that, with hindsight, he is convinced: ” I don't think I would be the player I am today without that experience. ” Also, ” Seeing that and experiencing that kind of propelled me over other rookies, to be ready from the first game. »
Involved in the American program and especially with the Spurs for shooting issues, Chip Engelland recently told him the memory of his first confrontation against Anthony Davis with San Antonio. It was the first NBA game from inside.
” He saw that I wasn't afraid. I was comfortable. And that comfort comes from the 2012 Olympics, from that month and a half, those two months. I went to those Olympics and then I played against San Antonio and Tim Duncan, and I wasn't dazzled by the stars. Being surrounded by superstars for two months took away that feeling a little bit. “, reported Anthony Davis, author of 21 points and 7 rebounds for his debut.
Enjoy every competition
More than a decade after his first weapons, the interior has a CV as long as the arm: NBA champion, 9 All-Star selections, 5 in All-NBA… Enough to earn him a logical change of status with Team USA, within which he had already gained responsibility during the 2014 World Cup.
Although a substitute, he is one of the dynamiters of the American bench with his 8 points, 7 rebounds and 1 block on average after three games. I'm a flexible player. I can play alongside anyone, start, come off the bench, whatever. I just like to win. “, continues Anthony Davis, testifying to his “ selfless state of mind “.
Believing that this second Olympic experience will allow him to reach ” more fit “Next season, Anthony Davis, 31, prefers to think about the present rather than the future. The Games will take place in Los Angeles 2028, a godsend if he were to keep the Lakers jersey.
For the interior, wear Team USA's ” is an honor. G-Hill (Grant Hill) told us. He didn't get a chance to play again after 1996. You don't get a lot of chances. You can't take them for granted. I'm lucky to have played in two Olympics and a world championship. It's humbling, a great feeling. »
