‘One Of A Kind’ Anthony Davis On Comeback Season Ahead
Anthony Davis is hoping for a bounce back year after a disappointing, stop-start 2020 – 2021 NBA season with the Lakers.
Anthony Davis missed 36 games as a result of injury last year – exactly half of the 72 Lakers games. It’s the highest number of games he’s ever been unavailable for. He previously missed 21 games in a full, 82-game schedule in 2015-2016.Â
Last season saw Anthony Davis average his fewest rebounds (7.9) and blocks (1.6) of his career. As well as that, his percentage from the field (49.1%) and the free throw line (73.8%) were the worst of his career.
He averaged 21.8 points per game, his lowest average since his second year in the NBA.
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New teammate Russell Westbrook says he’s going to push Davis to return to his full potential next season.
“He’s one of a kind,” Westbrook said.Â
“There’s nobody like him who can do everything he’s able to do at his size. And my job is to make sure I continue to push him each day, each practice, each game, so he can be at the top of his game each and every night.
“He’s been in this league a long time, so he understands how to play the game,” Westbrook said. “He knows what he needs to turn up, and I know now he wants to turn up. So, it’s my job to make sure that’s up every single night.”
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“I like teammates who are going to push me,” Davis said. “Encouragement — I don’t need encouragement. I want to be pushed. I want guys to tell me when I’m messing up. Me and Russ had numerous conversations in this first practice alone about things we can do together as a duo when we’re both on the floor.”
“That’s what I want,” Davis said. “I got numerous guys that’s always in my ear about things, so you can’t ask for more as a player who wants to get better.”