With 26.8 points, 14 rebounds and 2.8 blocks on average in this series against Denver, Anthony Davis has spared no effort. He simply fell on stronger, that is to say Nikola Jokic, elected MVP of this Western Conference final.
The odds were not on Los Angeles’ side after their disastrous start to the season, but with the transfers in February and a rediscovered defense, the team raised their level of play to move up the standings and ultimately achieve an excellent playoffs.
Basically, falling in front of such a Denver team, with such impressive collective cohesion, isn’t it logical, therefore easier to swallow?
“It is sure that we remember where we left and where we arrive”, starts Anthony Davis at a press conference before qualifying. “But that was clearly not our goal. Small victories are not for us. We are playing for the title. We were not up to the challenge. It’s hard to accept. With the days and weeks that will pass, we will rethink it and take a step back. »
The interior of Los Angeles still manages to see the glass half full, with this second half of the season, these playoffs and the confirmation that his duo with LeBron James can still work. Especially after the disappointment of the 2021/2022 financial year.
“The last two years, and even this year, either I got hurt or LeBron got hurt, when we both weren’t.” recalls the former Pelicans player. “So being healthy for the second half of the season and making that conference final is good. We are going in the right direction, that’s for sure. But that was not our goal. We don’t just want to get closer to the title, we want to take it. This is the goal from day one and every day. And I’m sure that will be the case again next season. We think we dominate together with LeBron, and with players around us, it can do that. We believe in. »
“As James gets older, I have to be the main driver to carry the team in certain matches”
This is why the disappointment returns quickly because Anthony Davis and the Lakers were only eight wins away from a new ring. And with LeBron James going on his 39th birthday and hesitating for the rest of his career, golden opportunities like this may not come again…
“It’s obvious that there was a window of opportunity for the title. We don’t have much to win the trophy. He had the chance to win the Eastern Conference Finals eight times in a row. I have to do better to help her. We know that the chances will be slim in the future and that he will not get any younger. That’s why it’s crucial for us and why it hurts when we don’t succeed. »
Sparkling when it was necessary to carry the Lakers during the absences of LeBron James during the regular season, Anthony Davis, even if he only played 56 games, had a good year with 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2 blocks on average . One of his best in his career.
But each passing year weighs on the body of the “King” and the 2020 champion is aware that he must take on even more responsibility in Los Angeles. Even more in 2023/2024.
“I have to find a way to do even better and be more consistent for the team,” announces Anthony Davis. “As James gets older, I have to be the main driver to carry the team in certain matches. There are matches where he can do it, but you can’t expect him to do it for 82 games. This is where I come in. I will look at myself in a mirror. I am my biggest critic. I know there are times in the season when I could have been stronger. And others where I was excellent. I have to be regular. »
| Anthony Davis | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2012-13 | NOP | 64 | 29 | 51.6 | 0.0 | 75.1 | 2.6 | 5.6 | 8.2 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 13.5 |
| 2013-14 | NOP | 67 | 35 | 51.9 | 22.2 | 79.1 | 3.1 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 20.8 |
| 2014-15 | NOP | 68 | 36 | 53.5 | 8.3 | 80.5 | 2.5 | 7.7 | 10.2 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 2.9 | 24.4 |
| 2015-16 | NOP | 61 | 36 | 49.3 | 32.4 | 75.8 | 2.1 | 8.2 | 10.3 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 24.3 |
| 2016-17 | NOP | 75 | 36 | 50.5 | 29.9 | 80.2 | 2.3 | 9.5 | 11.8 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 28.0 |
| 2017-18 | NOP | 75 | 36 | 53.4 | 34.0 | 82.8 | 2.5 | 8.6 | 11.1 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 28.1 |
| 2018-19 | NO | 56 | 33 | 51.7 | 33.1 | 79.4 | 3.1 | 8.9 | 12.0 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 25.9 |
| 2019-20 | ALL | 62 | 34 | 50.3 | 33.0 | 84.6 | 2.3 | 7.0 | 9.3 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 26.1 |
| 2020-21 | ALL | 36 | 32 | 49.1 | 26.0 | 73.8 | 1.7 | 6.2 | 7.9 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 21.8 |
| 2021-22 | ALL | 40 | 35 | 53.2 | 18.6 | 71.3 | 2.7 | 7.2 | 9.9 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 23.2 |
| 2022-23 | ALL | 56 | 34 | 56.3 | 25.7 | 78.4 | 3.5 | 9.1 | 12.5 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 25.9 |
| Total | 660 | 34 | 51.9 | 30.0 | 79.3 | 2.6 | 7.8 | 10.4 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 24.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
