Anthony Davis has been an incredible leader for the Los Angeles Lakers since LeBron James was out for a month. He helped the team become the best defensive side in the league last season. In late February, when King James sustained a tendon injury on his right foot, he had to stay out of the court for a month. That’s when Anthony Davis returned from injury and took the leadership of the team. He was the anchor of the Laker’s defense. Moreover, AD was the spearhead of the LA side’s attack.
The Lakers’ front office is working its best to build depth in their roster so that they have players to take some pressure off AD. It might help them get Anthony Davis to play for more than 60 games next season if they want to win it. The 17-time champions need AD to anchor their defense again in the 2023-24 season. Moreover, these expectations of the fans suggest that AD can win the Best Defensive Player Award next year. Recently, the betting experts have voted Anthony Davis among the top contenders for the Best Defender award.
Anthony Davis Gets Enough Votes To Be A Favorite For Next Year’s DPOTY Award
Among the betting experts, Lineups.com listed AD among their favorites to win the award. However, Anthony Davis is trailing behind Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. He is the reigning Defensive Player of the league. Other players like the Cleveland Cavalier’s Evan Mobley are also ahead of Anthony Davis. But in the Lineups.com list, AD has the same points as Milwaukee Buck’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, along with Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. The last three in the list, along with Anthony Davis, have got +1000 odds.
Moreover, the eight-time All-Star will try his best to replicate his incredible performance of the previous season in 2023-24. AD had an average of approximately 26 points per game and 13 rebounds per game last season. Moreover, the Los Angeles Lakers have a good balance on the side as they want to keep the core together. They will try to capitalize on the good balance on the side. Later, fans will have to wait and see who plays alongside AD in the center, taking some loads off him.
AD Must Stay Healthy To Play More Than 60 Games Next Season
AD was leading the side in scoring and rebounding averages last season. Then combined with LeBron James, after he returned, became the strongest duo in the league again. Once, this duo helped the Los Angeles Lakers win their 17th title in the 2019-20 season. This year they carried the Lakers very close, but their journey ended in the Western Conference Finals.
However, nobody can deny AD’s remarkable efforts to lead the Lakers into turning things around miraculously. Moreover, the Lakers Nation would hope to see AD have an even better season in 2023-24 to help them win their 18th title. But the fans would hope he does not miss as many games as he missed the last few seasons. Anthony Davis has not been able to play more than 60 games a season since 2020-21.
