Anthony Davis the new Leader of the Los Angeles Lakers?
After last year's trip to the NBA Western Conference finals, the Los Angeles Lakers look to repeat their success. They have improved their roster with free agency acquisitions such as Gabe Vincent and Cam Reddish, as well as giving contract extensions to key role players Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and D'Angelo Russell.
With this new-look Lakers squad aiming to contend for NBA championships, it may seem obvious that four-time Finals MVP LeBron James will be the unquestioned leader of this team. However, it appears that star big man Anthony Davis has been stepping up in a leadership role alongside "King" James.Via Los Angeles Times:
"Davis said he's made it a point to be more vocal, to be more of a leader"
"Davis mentioned he especially wanted to provide guidance for two newcomers to the Lakers' frontcourt, Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood."
"In addition to leading them through early-morning workouts over the last week, Davis has taken them out for meals and invited them to his house, according to Hayes."
"Davis mentioned he especially wanted to provide guidance for two newcomers to the Lakers' frontcourt, Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood."
"In addition to leading them through early-morning workouts over the last week, Davis has taken them out for meals and invited them to his house, according to Hayes."
Davis was traded to the Lakers from New Orleans and played his first season in Los Angeles during the 2019-2020 NBA season. At that point in time, it was clear that LeBron was the leader of this team. However, with next season being the final season on LeBron's contract with the Lakers and the uncertainty of him re-signing, the future of the franchise may well be led by Anthony Davis.
With 38-year-old LeBron entering his 21st season in the NBA, it is likely to expect that he will not be playing all 82 games of the regular season. To keep the Lakers on track towards making the playoffs and competing for a championship, Davis will have to step up and become the undisputed star player for the Lakers.
Davis is now the second-longest-tenured Laker on the current roster and has also averaged over 20 points per game during this time. So, with this in mind, it is clear to see why his teammates may look up to him as a leader, and he himself has even embraced it, calling it a "responsibility."
"‘I think I'm going to be the second-oldest guy here now, so guys lean on me a lot, especially the bigs,' Davis said. ‘I feel like it's my responsibility, being one of the leaders on the team alongside Bron."
Some Lakers teammates have now spoken out about Davis' role as a leader and how he has been mentoring them.
"He's just been helpful in a lot of ways"
"He's been a leader, Him and LeBron."
"He's been a leader, Him and LeBron."
«Wood recalled how, on the first day he worked out at the Lakers' practice facility, he arrived at 7 a.m.
«‘[Davis] and LeBron were already in the gym in a full sweat,' Wood said. ‘So that kind of motivated me to, «All right, now I gotta get here earlier than LeBron and A.D.»‘»
«‘[Davis] and LeBron were already in the gym in a full sweat,' Wood said. ‘So that kind of motivated me to, «All right, now I gotta get here earlier than LeBron and A.D.»‘»
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