Lakers' Anthony Davis outlines his 'advantage' over competition entering 2024-25 NBA season
Anthony Davis had a busy summer with Team USA, helping the team win gold as a key player off the bench. The Lakers star believes that bodes well for him ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. Davis outlined how playing meaningful games in the offseason will allow him to thrive against the competition after Wednesday's practice.
"Any time you get a chance to play throughout the summer, in meaningful games, where there's a lot at stake. ...
"Elite competition, you know, and kind of carry that through the training camp, you know, you kind of have an advantage over everyone else," Davis said (via Spectrum SportsNet).
Davis has had a remarkable run with his basketball since the start of February 2023. He's been in top shape and avoided major injuries while playing 136 games, including regular season, playoffs, Team USA warm-up, and Olympic games.
Despite that, Davis assured his body 'feels great,' and the short turnaround isn't the same as what happened after the 'Orlando Bubble' 2020 offseason.
The Lakers won the championship that year and were back in action within a month, which impacted the health of Anthony Davis, who played only 36 of 72 games in 2020-21. He also exited the playoffs in the first round against the Suns with a recurring groin issue.
Anthony Davis seemingly wants to keep the momentum going entering the new season, which helps the Lakers tremendously as they hope to secure a top-six seeding for the first time since winning the title in 2020. The 31-year-old is their most impactful player, and his presence directly impacts the team's results.
Anthony Davis understands how much Lakers season depends on health
The Lakers haven't found much success post their 2020 championship win in the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era, with health limiting both the stars. LA has been a top-heavy team with them, which instantly impacts its progress during a season. When healthy, there are not many teams capable of stopping LeBron and AD in a playoff series.
Davis realizes why there's so much at stake for the Lakers in the injury department.
"If we get hit by the injury bug again, it's going to be tough," Davis said.
The Lakers were hit with an injury bug last year, too. However, it wasn't Davis and James but the key role players who missed significant time. That included the likes of Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood.
LA bagged the seventh seed after winning the play-in tournament following a 47-win season, but that may not have been possible if Davis and James didn't play 76 and 71 games each.