NBA: 5 players set up for success in 2021-22
By Kyle McKee
NBA players set up for success in 2021-22: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
This next one might have you scratching your head. I can hear what you’re saying right now: “Anthony Davis?! Taking a leap?! When healthy, AD is arguably the best big man in the game. what are you talking about?” Just hear me out.
Coming off a vastly disappointing year in which he struggled mightily with injury, I think AD is coming into this season with a big chip on his shoulder.
The Lakers are expected to be the best team in the Western Conference this season, for good reason too. During the offseason, general manager Rob Pelinka completely revamped the roster. The most notable move the Lakers made was trading for all-star guard Russell Westbrook. There are a lot of people who dislike Westbrook based on his style of play.
However, there is no denying the energy and effort that he brings on a daily basis. I think that will have a serious impact on AD. Plus, Westbrook is still one of the most lethal threats in the pick-and-roll game. An AD-Westbrook pick-and-roll is going to be the best one-two punch in the league this season.
The thing is, nobody has ever questioned AD’s ability. It’s his health and availability that people are concerned about. There is no retort to that. Davis has struggled with injuries his entire career, but I do think for this season he will make it the entire year injury-free. The reason I say that is because the Lakers now have three stars in LeBron, AD and Westbrook. That will allow head coach Frank Vogel and his staff to rest their three stars more often.
For example, LeBron could sit out a game with AD and Westbrook suiting up or AD could rest while LeBron and Westbrook hit the court. You get the idea.
Plus, with the other moves the Lakers made in bringing in more veteran players like Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo and more, along with younger guys like Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk, the Lakers don’t have to rely so heavily on LeBron and AD any more. During the regular season that is.
As the anchor of a Lakers defense that has been one of the best units in the sport since his arrival, I think AD will emerge as the Lakers best and most valuable player this season and even put his name in the MVP conversation.