In a remarkable turn of events, Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis has ascended to the ranks of potential basketball legends, standing alongside the esteemed teammate LeBron James. Clearly, he etched his name in history by inking a groundbreaking three-year contract extension worth $186 million with the Lakers. With this, he has set a new benchmark for the highest annual extension ever granted in the NBA. This eight-time NBA All-Star, who initially united with LeBron James in 2019, embarked on a journey to secure his inaugural NBA championship. This pivotal collaboration was set into motion through a trade transaction involving Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart, accompanied by draft picks, as they departed for the New Orleans Pelicans.
But it looks like this transition brought two pieces of the puzzle together, James and Davis, making them one of the best duos in the history of the game. On the other hand, people are talking about how Davis has excelled in his game to reach James’ level. And even better, as the NBA’s all-time highest scorer is in his 20th year of a gaming career. Some are even comparing them to the GOAT of the NBA. But should they? Let us find that out.
Is Lakers’ Star Anthony Davis Now LeBron James’ co-star GOAT?
The four-time All-Star, LeBron James, enters his 20th year of a storied career. Hence, discussions are rife about Anthony Davis mirroring and surpassing James’ level of play. Through the years with the Lakers, he has showcased a remarkable game enhancement. When both players are in optimal health, the synergy of LeBron James and Anthony Davis forms an unparalleled duo. As explained by journalist Mark Medina, the amalgamation of James and Davis arguably stands as the most potent partnership in the NBA. This assertion holds even when compared to James’ notable chemistries with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love.
Since he arrived at the Lakers in 2019, Anthony Davis has maintained an impressive average. 24.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.2 blocks across 144 games played alongside King James. His field goal shooting percentage stands at an impressive 52.8%. Together, they clinched the coveted 2019-20 NBA championship, marking a triumphant moment for the team, their first title since 2010. When examining the statistics alone, one can easily say that the towering 6’10” power forward has emerged as LeBron James’ most exceptional teammate. The impact of their partnership positions them as an undeniable force within the realm of the NBA’s finest duos, topping mere eras. But Davis surpassing James is still a topic to discuss as he has many years to play and many records to break to match the latter’s success and potential.
Last season’s events prioritized depth and role players around LeBron James and Anthony Davis instead of focusing on different strategies. It became way more apparent with the emergence of another star player, Austin Reaves, from the team. Along with that, the team tried their best and made significant changes in the team to reach the top. With the help of new players like D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura & Mo Bamba, the Lakers crawled their way up to the western conference finals. However, the match did not take place at the end. And the Purple & the Gold army had to take a step back.