"Oh, s**t, AD is about to win finals MVP if Bron don't f***ing turn it up" - Richard Jefferson asserts 1X NBA Champion could again be the No.1 PF in the league
Former NBA player and current analyst Richard Jefferson believes Anthony Davis could be one of the league's best bigs. For the lakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">LA Lakers to contend this year, they better hope he's right.
It's never been a question of, "Is AD good enough?" The main question with the Lakers star is, "Can he stay on the court?" Throughout his career, Davis has run into a lengthy list of injuries.
It's created a reputation as he's struggled to remain on the court and off the sidelines. With the Lakers trying to bounce back, the hope is that Davis can stay healthy enough to give the Lakers a chance in the Western Conference.
On the "Road Trippin" podcast, Jefferson said Davis is the No. 1 big in the league but needs to return to being the player who excelled in the NBA bubble.
"When he has played, when he has been on the court, let's just judge him purely off that," Jefferson said. "I have not seen AD since the bubble. Like, the player that he has been when he's been on the floor, right, for the last two years.
"When he was going into that NBA season after he left New Orleans, the way he played pre-bubble where he believed he was up for Defensive Player of the Year, the best defensive player in the league, then the way he played in the bubble where, three games in, people were like, 'Oh, shit, AD is about to win Finals MVP if Bron don't f**king turn it up, right?'
"Like, that's Anthony Davis. That's who we had seen mature. That's who we have seen grow. He was the No. 1 big in the league in my opinion."
Richard Jefferson with praise for LA Lakers star Anthony Davis
The Lakers will be monitored closely throughout the opening months of this season. While there will be plenty of attention surrounding LeBron James' pursuit of the all-time scoring record, the Lakers will also have numerous storylines.
One of the top developments will be the health of Anthony Davis. As discussed by Richard Jefferson, there's no denying the talent of AD's game. Davis has done everything in his power to improve his health over the years.
In an effort to stay on the court last year, Davis reportedly put on additional weight and strength to improve his frame. The idea backfired, as Davis missed 42 games with knee and ankle injuries.
2 years ago today, @KingJames & @AntDavis23 combined for 79 PTS to help LA closeout Portland in Game 5
LeBron | AD
36 PTS | 43 PTS
10 REB | 9 REB
10 AST | 4 AST
74%FG | 78%FG
57%3PT | 67%3PT
100%FT | 85%FT
A healthy LeBron+AD duo is still the best duo in basketball https://t.co/9uLzMz9rh6
The Lakers had hoped that the star big man could be the future face of the franchise when they acquired him in 2019 from the New Orleans Pelicans. Time could be running out for AD to prove that he can remain healthy and take that role.