LeBron James and Anthony Davis, both centers for the Los Angeles Lakers, were named to the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament All-Tournament Team today in recognition of their play in the Group Play and Knockout Rounds during the inaugural event. With a pristine 7-0 record, the pair led the purple and gold to the inaugural NBA Cup.

Davis represented the Lakers in all seven In-Season Tournament contests, averaging 23.3 points, 14.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.9 blocks in 33.9 minutes on 52.5 percent field goal percentage and 79.6 percent free throw shooting. In 41 minutes against the Indiana Pacers in the IST Finals on December 9 in Las Vegas, Davis accumulated 41 points (16-24 FG, 9-13 FT), 20 rebounds, five assists, and four rejections. In tournament play, the 30-year-old ranked first among all participants in total rebounds (102) and second in total rejections (20).

James averaged 26.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.6 steals in 30.7 minutes across seven In-Season Tournament contests. He also attempted 60.6 percent from the field and 56.8 percent from three-point range. Voted Most Valuable Player of the In-Season Tournament this year, the 38-year-old completed the seven games with an IST-high +116 plus/minus and 67 field goals, more than any other participant.

On Monday, December 18, the Lakers will pay tribute to Davis and James as they commemorate the In-Season Tournament Championship before their home game. The team shall present a one-of-a-kind, once-only In-Season Tournament banner to commemorate their historic victory in 2023.

LeBron James was ecstatic upon the transfer of Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers, as he had discreetly urged the team to acquire the star center.

In their rookie campaign, James and Davis guided the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2020 NBA Championship. Years later, they have helped the franchise earn a second championship. In the championship game of the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, the tandem defeated the Indiana Pacers 2-0 to earn the NBA Cup and a cash prize of $500,000 per teammate.

According to Austin Reaves, the team’s victory in the tournament held great significance for every member, but for James and Davis, it served as an additional demonstration of their potential when in peak physical condition.

Despite Davis’s exceptional performance against the Pacers, James was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the In-Season Tournament. James, on the other hand, elaborated on his relationship with Davis and stated that the two never experience jealously (Dave McMenamin of ESPN:

James responded to an ESPN interview regarding his partnership with Davis, stating, “He knows who I am and I know who he is.” Their partnership is in its fifth season, which is lengthier than when James collaborated with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami or Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in Cleveland. “Therefore, no friction exists. Our objective is not to engage in a competitive relationship, whether it be in performance or in our personal lives. We are both aware of our identities.

“At the end of the day, all we want is to hold each other accountable at work, strive to be our best selves for one another, and offer support to one another when things do not go as planned.” Indelibility is absent. No jealousy exists within our beings. None of us are ever envious of the other. Ever.”

Off the court, the two are close friends, and their celebrity relationship is one of the uncommon instances in which both individuals support the other’s achievements. James and Davis complement one another in every way—personality-wise and on the court—and Los Angeles is privileged to have these two players adorning the purple and gold.

LeBron James was content with the Lakers’ In-Season Tournament progress.

The Lakers not only secured the championship but also, it would appear, discovered their true identity in the elimination rounds. Los Angeles has pressed opposing teams to the ground and is capitalizing on their athleticism and physical prowess.

James acknowledged the favorable advancements made by the team and expressed contentment with its progress.