Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis’ performance last season was disappointing, at least based on his standards. He missed exactly 40 games in the regular season due to an Achilles and calf injury. On top of this, he produced the lowest points (21.8) and rebounds (7.9) per game since his sophomore year in the league. He only scored 30 points or more just six times in the regular season—a far cry from the season prior when he did it 21 times. This will, shortly, actually bring us to Russell Westbrook.
Suffice it to say that Davis is poised for a bounce back this coming season. Naysayers have talked a lot about his durability since he missed a couple of games in the playoffs and it doesn’t help that Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic (all fellow big men) had better seasons compared to Davis.
When the Lakers led the Phoenix Suns (2-1) in the first round of the playoffs, a lot already assumed that the Lakers were poised to advance. That's because Davis and James looked like their usual self until game 3 when Davis injured his knee after chasing Devin Booker's layup. Davis tried to play through this knee injury but it got worst after he suffered a groin injury the next game.
“I wanted to do whatever I could to help the team. My body didn’t agree” were Anthony Davis’ final words to the media this season, perfectly summing up his ninth year in the league.
Before Davis was ruled out due to injury in the regular season, a lot noticed his slow start as well. He was only averaging 22.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in 28 games. The Brow was settling for shots further from the basket instead of rolling to the rim and was less aggressive in those 28 games. A lot can be said why this is so—he did come off a 72 day off season and the heel injury he suffered in the Finals in 2020 could have lingered last season.
However, for this season, there is no excuse to be made for Anthony Davis. He got his off season break and is now probably even more motivated to get back to his dominant self. And if there’s one person that can help push Davis this year, it’s the newly acquired Laker Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook is a polarizing player but if there’s one positive element about his game, it’s his ability to play hard every single game. Yes, even harder than LeBron James and that’s a testament to how much energy Brodie can bring every game, for better or worse.
In a well-written piece published at SB Nation’s Silver Screen and Roll, author Alex Regla talked about how Russell Westbrook can be the key to unlock Davis’ MVP season.
“It is hard not to hold out hope that the same influence will be had on a player like Anthony Davis this year. Because although the uber-talented big has every tool to be outright dominant, there have been more than enough occasions where he has drifted, played lackadaisical, and did not showcase the necessary drive the team needed on a nightly basis,” wrote Regla.
True enough, Brodie also can bring out the best of Davis on offense. It was apparent that Dennis Schroder and Davis did not have that pick-and-roll connection Lakers fans hoped for. Maybe with a passer and finisher of Westbrook’s caliber, that can change. And basketball fans know how lethal Davis is when used in a pick-and-roll situation.
The addition of Westbrook can also be the missing piece for a championship contender like the Lakers. A lot of naysayers have talked about Westbrook being a stat padder instead of a winner but that can change with the Lakers (if Westbrook allows it). He can be the team’s third option and of course, carry the playmaking load when LeBron James takes a breather on the bench.
Most of the teams James has been on throughout his career has suffered when The King goes to the bench. That can change this year with Westbrook, who is also surrounded with reliable shooters in this Lakers squad. Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis’ pairing particularly when James sits will be something to look out for.
Can’t wait to feed of this energy! 😤😤 https://t.co/kbS0Vn8bG5
— Kenny Baze (@24Bazemore) September 7, 2021
Ultimately, Russell Westbrook brings a lot to the team and it’s fair to assess if the new Lakers trio can work or not. But there’s no question that Westbrook’s mentality is what separates him among his fellow all-stars and what can help not just Davis but also this hungry Lakers squad bring back the Finals trophy to Los Angeles.
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