When it comes to playing defense in the NBA, Lebron James believes his Los Angeles Lakers teammate Anthony Davis is the best in the world.
There has never been any doubt about how good of a player Anthony Davis is. Yes, injuries have continually been a dark cloud hovering over the 11-year veteran’s entire career. But when he is healthy and on the floor, he is a major influence on nearly every single game he takes part in.
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While the Los Angeles Lakers star’s offensive stats and rebounding numbers get a lot of attention, Davis is one of the best players of the last decade because of the impact he has had on both sides of the court. That hasn’t been any more evident than during the team’s current NBA playoffs run.
Against the Sacramento Kings, he was a dominant force that limited All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis, and now in the Los Angeles Lakers best-of-seven against the Golden State Warriors he has shown his elite rim-protecting skills and more against the defending champion’s top scorers.
Los Angeles Lakers record (’22-’23): 43-39
It was again on display during the Lakers 104-101 Game 4 win against Golden State Monday and it was so pivotal that league legend Lebron James took time to shower series praise on Davis during his courtside interview immediately following the game.
“He’s the best defensive player in the league. I think the league knows it as well. There aren’t many guys who can protect the rim at all costs and switch out on point guards like Steph [Curry]. We trust AD guarding anybody in the league.”
– Lebron James [h/t Hoops Hype]
At his peak, Lebron James was also an elite defender that could guard nearly any player at any position, so if there is anyone that understands impact defense, it is the future Hall-of-Famer.
Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers will look to close out their series against the Warriors on Wednesday in Golden State at 10 PM ET on TNT.