Anthony Davis Believes Lakers Are Starting To Establish Their Identity after recent positive victories
The big man insured that the Los Angeles Lakers won their last two games prior to the All-Star break, as he had stated it was vitally essential.
In Utah’s 16-point victory over the Jazz, Davis led the way with another dominant performance of 37 points and 15 rebounds while LeBron James missed a back-to-back.
As of halftime, the Lakers have captured six of their last seven games and are four games above.500. However, more significantly, the Lakers appear to be solidifying as a unit and performing admirably.
Davis believes the Lakers are beginning to solidify their reputation as a fast-paced, rim-attacking, and defensively formidable squad. Furthermore, he desires to ensure that they maintain their current style of play upon their return from the vacation (Spectrum SportsNet).
“Yeah. Simply who we are, not what we might become. It’s any game, and we must establish an identity. We are beginning to realize that our team will operate at a rapid tempo. An opponent who is not only determined to score and enter the paint, but also to prevent opponents from doing so. Consequently, we are establishing an identity for what we intend to be in the future. We cannot be emerging from the All-Star break in good standing; therefore, what kind of team are we? Alternatively, we must be this way and that. We are as we are here. Furthermore, we must ensure that our recent play over the past two, three, or four weeks maintains our identity and carries over into the post-All-Star break.”
Despite suffering their only defeat of the stretch to the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers appeared to be a much more cohesive unit, which bodes well for the future. Davis recognized that the Lakers could have squandered this game against the Jazz because they had reasonable excuses, but he is relieved they did not.
“That is no justification in regards to the Los Angeles Lakers.” Irrespective of the validity of the excuse, no one is concerned. Therefore, for us, entering the game with the mindset of securing this victory, simply due to the reality that this team is directly below us in the standings and we are striving to ascend. And it’s one of those “trap games” just before All-Star; you’re traveling, and as you mentioned, if you arrive late, you can simply surrender and say, “Okay, whatever, we won four out of six.” Additionally, proceed effortlessly towards the All-Star level. This is, as Coach Ham put it, a “quality of life” victory.”
The Lakers can now regroup and recover in preparation for the stretch run. They have established a favorable trajectory and aim to further develop it when competitions recommence the following week. Moreover, with Davis performing at this caliber, they can certainly maintain this trajectory.
Anthony Davis lacks victory-oriented intent. Player Defensive of the Year
Having been dominant on both ends of the court for the duration of the season, Anthony Davis should be a strong contender for his first Defensive Player of the Year honors. However, having been overlooked in previous seasons, the Lakers big man is no longer preoccupied with that honor.
Davis stated, “I feel like I ought to have won it a few times, but I failed to do so.” “I am currently merely striving for victory in games.” Maintain a consistent presence on the defensive end; if winning it this year appears to be in my sights, it will be tremendously satisfying to have accomplished that. I believe, however, that I was cheated out of a few opportunities throughout my career. “Therefore, the situation remains as it is.”