In contact with LeBron James, Anthony Davis progresses as a leader

NBA – Dennis Schroder is one of those who notice the difference in leadership within the Lakers.

« I’m just entering a new leadership phase in my career. I will guide this team in my own way. So said Anthony Davis at the end of December 2021, while LeBron James chained absences linked to injuries, the Covid or his suspension after an altercation with Isaiah Stewart.

“AD” explained at the time that Rajon Rondo, Carmelo Anthony or Russell Westbrook encouraged him to speak in the locker room. Quit behaving in an unnatural way. Because “ i’m normally a very quiet guy when i play and only really talk when i’m on the sidelines ».

Today, these veterans of the league are no longer there, by his side. And Davis, the second oldest and most experienced player on the team, must once again make his voice heard in the absence of the “King”. In addition to having to carry the Lakers statistically.

Anthony Davis forced to do violence to himself

« Every time you play with another star and that one is absent, even trying to isolate you and not put pressure on you, everyone expects you to compensate or do at least half, and the team the other half. Knowing that he was going to be on the sidelines for a long time, everyone was looking at me and saying, ‘OK AD, we need you to carry us until we are able to get back on our feet’ “Reports Davis who is averaging 26 points and 12 rebounds in March.

Davis seems to be up to hearing Dennis Schroder. This one is well placed to talk about the vocal evolution of the interior since he rubbed shoulders with him during the 2020-21 season. ” It’s better than my first pass. He is more talkative. I didn’t know him when I first came here. But this year he is doing a good job. I think he also learned from LeBron. Talking to his teammates, especially in defense… He has improved a lot since that first year

“says the leader.

“AD” unsurprisingly confirms having learned a lot from contact with James, both in the game and in the incarnation of this role of leader. “ And I think that’s even more true when he’s not playing, because that’s up to me. (In normal weather) I play and I let him talk. But when he’s not there, we need someone to speak up and that’s when I tell myself it’s my turn to use my voice says Davis, describing her relationship with James as “ one of the best in the NBA ».