Anthony Davis takes a shot at the Lakers: “Now you’ll see the real AD”

For years, Anthony Davis asked the Lakers to let him consistently play alongside another big man. Los Angeles did not always give him what he wanted, but AD remains convinced that the best version of his career came when he was able to play at the four.

Appearing on the Numbers on the Board podcast, Davis returned to a topic that followed him throughout virtually his entire tenure with the Lakers:

Personally, I think I played the best basketball of my career when I was alongside another big man

Anthony Davis

That inevitably brings back memories of the 2019/20 season, when the Lakers won the NBA title in the bubble. On that team, Davis often shared the floor with JaVale McGee or Dwight Howard, allowing him to start at power forward and roam more defensively instead of being used primarily at center.

That postseason, however, was unusual from an offensive standpoint as well: AD shot 38.3% from three on 2.9 attempts per game, well above his career mark of 29.5%. That is no small detail, because playing two big men at the same time when neither spaces the floor has become increasingly difficult in the modern NBA.

Davis also explained that he changed his body specifically to meet the Lakers’ demands, reaching a much higher weight than usual in order to handle playing center more consistently.

I’ve always played around 250-255 pounds, but that year I got up to 265, maybe even 268. I didn’t like it. I tried to lose weight during the season, but doing that while you’re playing is hard. That’s when I thought: I want another big next to me. But it didn’t happen

Anthony Davis

Then came a line that sounded almost like a small challenge to his former team:

Now you’ll see. Put me next to another big and it completely changes the game for me

Anthony Davis

And in Washington, he should get what he wants. The Wizards have Deandre Ayton and Alex Sarr available at center, a setup that will allow Davis to consistently return to the position he feels suits him best.

The question is how it will work on the other end of the floor. The defensive advantage is obvious: AD can move more freely, help, switch and protect the rim without always being the primary anchor inside. Offensively, however, there will need to be enough spacing to prevent the paint from becoming too crowded.

After years of debate about his role with the Lakers, Davis will finally get what he has been asking for. No more theory: in Washington, he will be able to prove on the court whether Anthony Davis at power forward really is the best version of himself.