Earlier this week, the NBA released its All-defense teams. One of the big-name players left off it was LA Lakers big man Anthony Davis.
Since entering the NBA, Davis has been among the top defensive big men in the NBA. In his ten years in the league, he’s led the association in blocks on three different occasions.
Throughout the postseason, Davis’ high-level defense has been on full display. He is currently averaging 1.5 SPG and an astonishing 3.7 BPG in the Lakers’ first ten playoff games.
Following LA’s win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 4, LeBron James opened up on the defensive play of his running mate. He feels that AD is the best player in the league right now on that end of the floor.
“He’s the best defensive player in the league. I think the league knows it as well.”
There is no arguing with what LeBron said. When Davis is on the floor, he certainly belongs among the best defensive players in the NBA. The problem, in recent years, is that he hasn’t been on the floor consistently enough.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, Anthony Davis & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Injuries have derailed the past few years for the former No. 1 pick, and it’s affected his play at times. However, he appears to look the healthiest he’s been in a long time.
Standing at 6-foot-10, Davis has the range to be a menace around the rim. He’s only athletic enough to switch on the perimeter and defend guards when the moment calls for it. When he is locked in like what we’re seeing now, there are few better than him on defense.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, Anthony Davis & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Davis might not be on an All-Defense team, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t viewed as an elite defender. If he played like this throughout a majority of the regular season, he’d likely been the favorite to take home Defensive Player of the Year.
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