Los Angeles – The Lakers went directly to Anthony Davis on the opening play of their game against the Raptors on Tuesday. After briefly struggling with a double team, he steadied down, posted up Pascal Siakim, and scored the first jump hook of the game to put the Lakers up.
He then scored the first seven points for the Lakers with a layup, a hook jumper, and a free throw. This was but a taste of the offensive spread that Davis provided to the Raptors. He scored in every manner imaginable, finishing with 41 points at the end of the game. He was 13–14 from the charity stripe, 13–17 from the field, and he even drained a few threes for good measure.
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One of the few players Darvin Ham can count on to deliver is Davis, who has been instrumental in the Lakers’ struggle to finish above.500 and win a run of games. He’s been effective, aggressive, and—above all—available throughout the season, not just during this homestand. When Ham was available after the game, he discussed Davis’ present form in further detail.
“Just his efficiency,” Ham remarked. It was just him being there near the rim and in the paint. He was drawing fouls, making his free throws, and when he got into the trail, they were a little bit off of him. He planted his feet and made the deep shot. He performed with incredible efficiency tonight. Just his defensive communication; that’s a difficult squad to contain. He serves as our defensive middle linebacker, alerting everyone to the fact that they are a formidable team to guard. Conscious and cognizant of their responsibilities. For us, his unwavering play in the paint has been invaluable.”
Davis wasn’t only the hub of the defense on a night when LeBron James wasn’t being aggressive; he was also the focal point of everything the Lakers did.
The lone offensive lapse by Davis occurred in the second and third quarters, when he only attempted three field goals. Max Christie talked about the guards’ duty to prevent it from happening.
Christie remarked after the game, “As guards, we need to get him the ball.” Particularly when he’s performing at his best…All we have to do is give him the ball. Guards need to simply get their top players the ball in areas where they are effective when they see them rolling like that.
“I think we did a good job with that, and it helps that AD is obviously really talented and skilled.”
These performances are expected by the pro-Davis crowd. With his championship ring, In-Season Tournament title, Olympic Gold Medal, and NBA Top 75 selection, what more is the 11-year veteran of basketball needed to prove? He’s averaging 25.7 points and 12.2 rebounds on the season.
The response is the same for both supporters and detractors: more.
They want Davis to play at the caliber of play, especially on the offensive end of the court, that he has consistently demonstrated he can attain.
The answer has been a resounding yes when it comes to Davis’ offensive consistency since December. In the final weeks of 2023 and 2024, he had highs of 40 and 37 points, averaging 29.1 points on 57% shooting.
He’s like Anthony Davis on defense.
