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Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis is starting the year 2020 with a bang, literally. Davis put Phoenix Suns center Aron Baynes on a poster at the 7:24 mark of the first quarter. After a pick and roll lob pass from Danny Green, the Lakers star threw down a vicious dunk.
This season, Davis is averaging 27.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and shooting 85.3 from the free-throw line through 31 games with the Lakers. After the first quarter, the Lakers led the Suns 43-17, which is the highest-scoring quarter of the season for Los Angeles, according to NBA TV. Davis would finish the quarter with 15 points, three rebounds, and one assist in 12 minutes of play.
As for Baynes, he has only scored two points, three rebounds, and one assist in 12 minutes of play for the Suns.
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Mark Jackson Thinks Anthony Davis Is a Front Runner for Defensive Player of the Year
During ESPN’s broadcast of the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers game on December 29, 2019, Mark Jackson shared that Anthony Davis is one of his front runners for defensive player of the year.
“Without a question, this guy is a front runner or one of the front runners for Defensive Player of the Year. Anthony Davis has been the anchor of this Laker team defensively. Protecting the paint and taking the challenge.”
Dave Pasch, who was also a part of the broadcast team shared that Davis is a three-time First-Team All-Defense member and three-time leader in blocked shots, but has not won NBA Defensive Player of the year yet.
“The Lakers have been terrific all year and that is a big reason why they are 25-7 and have the best record in the Western Conference,” said Pasch.
“And he [Anthony Davis] is a big key defensively. He is the key, but also having perimeter guys like Avery Bradley, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green, and LeBron James taking on the challenge. It makes a difference and it makes his job much easier to be the anchor,” said Jackson.
The Los Angeles Lakers would go on to beat the Dallas Mavericks 108-95 at home.
ESPN’s Doris Burke Says Anthony Davis is a Problem
Earlier this season before the first meeting between the Mavericks and Lakers, Doris Burke was interviewed by Fanatics View. During that interview, Burke was asked about the lack of media attention Davis received while in New Orleans.
“I don’t want to say he was overlooked in New Orleans, but he [Anthony Davis] certainly didn’t have the exposure, press coverage. To go 40, 20, to make 26 of 27 free-throws, I mean he is a problem no matter where you put him. You can selectively put him in the post and make sure he can devastate anybody that’s mismatched. You can put him at the top of the key. He can drive left and right. I mean Anthony Davis is a problem,” Burke told Fanatics View.
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