Yahoo Finance Anthony Davis thinks Lakers’ title chances ‘got higher’ after long break due to coronavirus
Anthony Davis doesn’t think that the Los Angeles Lakers’ shot at a title have been hurt by the nearly four-month play stoppage due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If anything, he said, it’s just the opposite.
Davis and the Lakers were long considered favorites to win the NBA title this season. Because of the break, he thinks that their shot at claiming the league championship when play resumes at Walt Disney World near Orlando Florida later this month has actually increased.
“Actually, I think our chances are higher just because we’re all rested and we’re all ready to go,” Davis said, via ESPN. “If anything, our chances got higher and it’s going to be about just who wants it more.”
While Davis may feel that way, he seems to have forgotten one key point in his logic: Every other team has had to rest since play stopped in March, too. The Lakers didn’t get special treatment. All 22 teams and players are entering the restart in Orlando are on equal footing from that standpoint.
The team is also down starter Avery Bradley, who opted out of the restart, and could be short Dwight Howard — who is considering not playing due to the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of his son’s mother earlier this year. The team did sign J.R. Smith to replace Bradley, however coach Frank Vogel said they will not seek a replacement player for Howard should he not join them in Florida, per ESPN.
Regardless, Davis said he made good use of his time off.
The 27-year-old averaged 26.7 points and 9.4 rebounds this season, his first with the team, when play was suspended. He’s shooting better than 84 percent from the free throw line, a career best, and is averaging 2.4 blocks per game, too.
He also missed time throughout the year due to various injuries, including to his shoulder, elbow and tailbone.
Now, he said Thursday, that’s all behind him.
“It’s been good for me to kind of let some of them lingering injuries I had towards the time when the NBA stopped to kind of recover and heal and get back to the best version of myself,” Davis said, via ESPN. “I feel 100 percent healthy. Well, I don’t feel. I am [100 percent healthy]. I feel like I’m ready. Ready to go.”
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