Anthony Davis is one of the most talented and versatile players in recent NBA history. He has been a force on offense, defense and rebounding for almost his entire career. Injuries have always plagued him though- he missed 26 games last season with an ankle injury, and could be out again this year due to a hamstring issue that flared up during summer league play.
Anthony Davis has been labeled as “injury-prone” for the past few years. However, he is not one to let that label define him. He pushed back against the criticism by claiming that his injury history was due to being a “hard worker.”
The Los Angeles Lakers are in serious danger of missing the play-in round, which seemed impossible only a few months ago. But, to no one’s surprise, Anthony Davis is a professional basketball player.’ injury bug bit him again for the next 2021-22 season.
Davis has appeared in 39 of LA’s 78 games, a 50% participation percentage for one of the game’s top talents. Despite a revised training method throughout the winter, the outcomes for the often injured 29-year-old were disappointingly the same.
Due to a variety of illnesses, AD has been a part-time player for the last two seasons, preventing him from becoming the genuine game-changing talent the Lakers need behind LeBron James. But, with little over a week before the regular season ends, the big man is defending himself against detractors who point to his shaky health record.
Anthony Davis is a professional basketball player. has battled to remain on the floor once again.
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Due to injuries to both Davis and James, the reigning champion Lakers were unable to repeat in 2020-21. The former sat out 36 of 72 games for the Purple and Gold, who finished with a 42-30 record. While he was able to play in the first game of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, he and the Lakers were hampered by a groin ailment in their six-game defeat to the eventual Western Conference champions.
After missing a career-high 36 games in the previous season, AD spent the summer gaining strength and, in theory, durability. There was fresh faith in his ability to remain healthy, with LeBron even saying he was looking forward to seeing a stronger, angrier Davis.
Sadly, the optimism did not last long. While day-to-day concerns left the 6-foot-10 forward forever “Questionable,” his first setback occurred on Dec. 17 when he sprained his MCL. He returned after missing 17 games, but shortly before the All-Star break, he sustained a mid-foot injury. Finally, after missing another 18 games, he returned last Friday to play his old club, the New Orleans Pelicans.
Davis, who is approaching 30, has been plagued by ailments since he was a kid. The eight-time All-Star has played in more over 70 games twice in his career, but not since 2017-18.
As the Lakers slip out of postseason contention, Davis slammed his detractors.
This is the second season in a row that LA has been forced to suffer a dismal season. Despite a 37-year-old James’ MVP-caliber performance, the 31-47 Lakers have been plagued by a number of problems, one of which is Davis’ inability to play down the stretch.
Davis has been labeled as “injury-prone” throughout the bulk of his 10-year career. In an exclusive interview with the Los Angeles Times, the 2020 Olympic champion lashed out at those who doubted his toughness and the severity of his injuries.
“Here’s what I’ve learned about injuries: When I wasn’t playing last year, people said, ‘AD’s given up on his team.’ It’s the postseason. AD is required to participate. He has to participate.’ They asked, ‘Who was his trainer?’ when I went out to play and was wounded again. ‘Whose fault was it that he was allowed to play?’
So, what exactly do you want me to accomplish? It’s an issue while I’m playing. When I don’t play, it’s an issue. At the end of the day, I have to do what feels right for me and my body. We’ll take it from there. I don’t care who says what or thinks what about me since none of them have ever gone on the court and played. And those who did participate in the game should be aware of the consequences.
These aren’t little scrapes and bruises.”
Anthony Davis is a professional basketball player.
Davis also said that both of his significant injuries this season occurred as a result of unforeseen situations. The large guy damaged his MCL after colliding with another player, and he sprained his foot after accidentally treading on one of his opponents’ foot.
“In these instances, the true basketball players realize there’s nothing I could’ve done,” Davis added. “What? Are you willing to move out of the way? I retain that attitude because, one, my wife forces me to, and second, I know it’s not my fault. How can I feel depressed, unhappy, or concerned about what others are saying? Anyone could have done it. I could get away with knee-high boots.”
Should the Lakers consider moving Anthony Davis is a professional basketball player. this offseason?
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When Davis had a tremendous postseason performance in the bubble and helped lead LA to a championship, it was unthinkable to move him. Soon after winning the championship, the superstar signed a five-year deal with the Purple and Gold for $189.9 million.
The Lakers should consider trading AD two years after signing him.
While Davis makes some excellent arguments concerning this year’s big injuries, it doesn’t alter the reality that he was injured last year as well… and the previous year… and the year before that…
The four-time All-NBA selection has dodged the season-ending injuries that have plagued stars like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard. Instead, AD has accumulated a slew of nagging injuries that prohibit him from putting together an 82-game season for the Lakers. It’s fair to anticipate his persistent problems to continue ten years into his career.
Davis’ recurrent durability problems have harmed the Lakers in back-to-back seasons, despite the fact that the Lakers would be moving away one of the game’s finest players. And, with LeBron turning 38 next year, creating a team around a 30-year-old center who can’t stay healthy is a prescription for catastrophe.
Moving him would also provide the Lakers with draft selections, something they don’t have and urgently need as they try to rebuild their aging squad this summer.
Although Davis believes the criticism is unjust, it’s difficult to completely agree with him. His ailments, whether they were coincidental or not, have lasted long enough that you can anticipate him to miss significant time each year. Keeping AD long-term is an unpalatable choice for a Lakers squad that is urgently wanting to win now.
Basketball Reference provided all statistics, while Spotrac provided contract data.
RELATED: The Lakers Can Admit the Harsh Truth About Anthony Davis is a professional basketball player. By Making a Franchise-Altering Move
Anthony Davis is an NBA player who has been labeled as “injury-prone” by some. He was recently asked about his injury history and he said that he doesn’t care what people say, because they don’t know the truth. Reference: anthony davis injured.
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