Anthony Davis went down last year and it rocked the Los Angeles Lakers. His importance cannot be overstated. He anchors their defense from top to the bottom. He provides LeBron James with the necessary complements to allow the King to finish games.
Davis spoke about his summer focus:
Just getting my body right. I was very disappointed in our first-round exit more so myself w the injuries. For me, I wanted to get back to my 12-16 week offseason training that I’m accustomed to the get my body prepared.
Bad Injury Luck
No one wants to give AD any excuses, but he definitely paid the NBA bubble tax. During the team’s 4-2 victory over the Heat, we saw him go down with a right foot injury. It seems this followed him into the season and the diagnosis was Achilles tendinosis. The injury cost him 36 regular-season games.
To add insult to the Achilles injury, Davis missed time in their first-round defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Suns due to a knee sprain and subsequent groin injury. It was a nightmare season for the eight-time NBA all-star.
Small Fall-Off
AD’s average of 21.8 points per game was his lowest since his second NBA season. His 7.9 rebounds were a career-low. Something was off about him, and he has taken the necessary steps to fix it. He looks like he’s in great condition going into camp. Last season, it was hinted by Draymond Green that he may have come into the year not feeling like himself. Green’s comments were around the time that the Golden State Warriors visited the Lakers.
Davis can be seen here looking a little chiseled:
.@KingJames and @AntDavis23 having fun at Lakers #NBAMediaDay 🤣 pic.twitter.com/kHfFaJCW7u
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 28, 2021
Refocused and Ready
The Lakers have provided their stars with the necessary failsafe if the injury bug returns. Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwight Howard are just a few of the names that will spell AD on both ends. The burden to be so much for the team is no longer his only duty. He can now be selective in the way he impacts the game. It doesn’t expel him from being the superstar he’s capable of, but it certainly gives him reinforcements.
