Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis is coming off a very disappointing 2021-22 NBA campaign. For the second year in a row, he found himself bogged down by injuries and unable to replicate the success he experienced in his first season with the franchise.
The hope among Lakers fans was that he would really dedicate himself to practicing, getting healthy and returning to form this summer.
A video of Davis that went viral this week suggests that may not actually happen, though.
In a now-viral clip, the big man can be heard saying he hasn’t shot a basketball since April 5 – the Lakers’ last game of the season.
Anthony Davis: “I haven’t shot a basketball since probably April 5th.” pic.twitter.com/5V7hzptXf8
— 𝙎𝙝𝙪𝙗𝙝 ⁶𓅓 (@OVOLakeShow) June 12, 2022
Yikes.
Fan reaction was roughly what you would expect:
yea lakers not winnin chip
— Izzy (@Dur7nt) June 12, 2022
bruh.
— ℰ (@lLoveLakers) June 12, 2022
— LeBurner James (@LBJcrib) June 12, 2022
We are so cooked Bru and he is a worst shooter then Russ
— shark (@sharmake_b) June 12, 2022
Injured most of this season, injured for the first round last year, so he hasn’t played an important game in about two years. You would think he would be in the gym like crazy right now.
— New Hoodies (@New_Hoodies) June 12, 2022
— Professional Hater (@OfficialJer0me) June 12, 2022
Maybe Davis was joking. Perhaps he is planning to put serious work in later in the summer. Either way, though – it’s easy to see why fans are frustrated. Particularly in light of all the partying he has been doing recently and the way his body is looking these days.
Two years ago, Davis averaged 21.8 points per game, the third-worst mark of his career, and a career-worse 7.9 rebounds per game. He also played in just 36 outings.
Last year, in what was hailed as the season when he would return to past glory, he averaged an only-slightly better 23.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game and played in just 40 games.
At a certain point all the goodwill he built up bringing a title to L.A. will get used up. Just ask Frank Vogel. And Davis is rapidly approaching that point.
There have already been a lot of trade rumors about him over the past month. If he continues down this path, those rumors will only intensify.
A warning has been issued.https://t.co/DtmwBqi8oH
— Game 7 (@game7__) June 12, 2022
Will Davis be able to get right, stay healthy and win the hearts and minds of Lakers fans back?
Time will tell.
Related: Stephen A. Smith’s Surprising Allen Iverson Admission (Video)
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
