As arguably one of the best two-way players in the NBA, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis will be heading into another season with high expectations in 2023-24, with the storied franchise hoping he can stay healthy and play at an MVP-caliber level.
Unlike the last couple of years, the Lakers will be expected to be a dominant force in the Western Conference next season, with the team making all the right moves this summer to surround superstars Davis and LeBron James with the right talent to potentially win it all.
Although James’ health will be an area of concern after he battled through a foot injury in the second half of last season, Davis is the primary concern for the Lakers, as he has played in only 194 games during his four seasons in Los Angeles thus far, with injuries and availability being a persistent problem.
Fortunately for Davis, the front office continues to have confidence in the veteran big man, as the team signed him to a lucrative long-term contract extension this summer.
However, that new deal comes with expectations, as the franchise wants him healthy for as many games as possible, which is partly why ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called him out on “First Take” this week.
.@stephenasmith thinks it's time for AD to step up for the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/Can4OmPALc
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 30, 2023
Unfortunately for the Lakers, Davis and James are in similar situations in terms of struggling to stay healthy at this point in their careers.
With James turning 39 in December, it definitely is time for Davis to take the reigns, but only time will tell if his body will hold up, as the most games he’s ever played in a season for the Lakers is 62.
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