Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham told NBA reporters that Anthony Davis is the “heart and soul” of the team. This comes after LeBron James called Davis the face of the Lakers franchise.
Davis is one of the best players in the NBA. The only thing preventing him from competing for the MVP Award is his body, as Davis hasn’t been able to stay healthy since helping the Lakers win the 2020 championship. The eight-time All-Star has suffered multiple lower-body injuries.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 blocks last season in 56 games while shooting 56.3% from the field, 25.7% from beyond the arc and 78.4% from the free-throw line. The Lakers made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals after starting the season 2-10.
The 30-year-old Davis finished the 2023 playoffs averaging 22.6 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 3.1 blocks in 16 games versus the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets.
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.
Davis spent time with Lakers assistant coach Chris Jent during the offseason working on his outside shot after shooting 25.7% from 3 during the 2022-23 regular season and 33.3% in the 2023 playoffs. Ham wants to see Davis shoot six 3-pointers per game this season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
“I want him, if he can — I know he won’t do it, but maybe he’ll shock me — but I’ve requested to see six 3-point attempts a game,” Ham said. “Three per half, at least. I wouldn’t put that on him if I didn’t think he was capable.”
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