Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham told NBA reporters on Friday that stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are very “hungry.” The Lakers got swept by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals.
The Lakers won the 2020 championship in Davis’ first year in Los Angeles. Since then, the Lakers have lost in the first round of the playoffs, missed the postseason altogether and lost in the Western Conference Finals.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Darvin Ham, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
LeBron averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 55 games for the Lakers last season, while Davis put up 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. In the 2023 playoffs versus the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Nuggets, Davis averaged 22.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 3.1 blocks and LeBron put up 24.5 points, 9.9 boards and 6.5 assists per game.
Davis signed a three-year, $186 million extension with the Lakers this offseason. The Chicago native is committed to Los Angeles for five more years and approximately $270.5 million. Davis’ extension, which kicks in for the 2025-26 season, is the richest extension in NBA history with a projected average annual value of $62 million.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Darvin Ham, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
LeBron called Davis the face of the Lakers franchise during media day. Los Angeles needs Davis to play at a high level every night this season since LeBron turns 39 in December. It will be interesting to see how many games the Lakers win this season.
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