Lakers fans in Washington, D.C. chanted “MVP!” after Anthony Davis demolished the Wizards with 55 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks on Sunday. Davis has suddenly entered the Most Valuable Player award picture, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“He’s been unbelievable, man,” LeBron James said. “On both sides of the floor. I mean, playing like the MVP of this league. Just straight dominance.”
Entering Tuesday, Davis has averaged 35.3 points on 64.8% from the field, 15.6 rebounds and 2.9 blocks over the last nine games. His resurgence has revitalized the franchise, Jovan Buha of The Athletic notes. Buha takes a closer look at Davis’ scoring outbursts.
Davis departed Tuesday’s game at Cleveland with flu-like symptoms, McMenamin tweets.
We have more on the Lakers:
- With Davis on a roll, the Lakers should consider making a big move to improve their postseason prospects, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report writes. If they finally decide to move Russell Westbrook, they need a play-maker who can ease James’ burden while helping Davis get high-percentage shots. There’s also a need for a versatile wing, Pincus adds.
- Wenyen Gabriel will be out at least a week due to a left shoulder sprain, Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register tweets. Gabriel, a valuable reserve, will miss all four remaining games during this week’s current road trip.
- Beyond Davis’ stretches of dominance, first-year coach Darvin Ham sees improvement across the board, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today writes. “Their buy-in is accelerating at a pace a where they’re embracing everything we’re throwing at them, the way we want to play offensively and defensively,” Ham said. “You’re going to go through that period of discovery. Those first 20, 25 games, you’re learning your team, your team is learning you, coming in as a new staff, a new head coach while also managing who’s available, who’s not available, guys out for various illnesses and various injuries and you’re trying to mix and match the lineup. And now, we’re here, we’re becoming more whole by the day.”
I was all for trading Russ but more recently they have managed to turn the results around and I think as some reports have emerged maybe trading Beverly and Nunnis the better idea.
I suggested using both guys and dealing to the Mavs and Spurs in order to get McGee and McDermott. I think even that and what they have could be the she they need. Anthony Davis won’t be able to keep this run of form up without getting injured again. So they need to do something to help him, that’s where McGee comes in. He’s played with Bron and AD and they won a ring together. He helps tremendously on defence and rebounding the ball and is great for the locker room. Then McDermott comes over and gives them another shooting/floor spacing option. Something obviously the lakers need.
Russ has done amazing recently off the bench and he’s really adjusted to that role. If he keeps it up he has to be in the running for 6th man off the year. The energy he brings is great and he gives you 100% all the time which coming off the bench is exactly what you want. Those other bench guards can’t get close to him when he’s on.
Dennis Schroder can be the new point guard, he can handle the rock, can shoot it from time to time, can dish the ball, and when locked in is a great defender.
Russ seems like the obvious trade but he’s doing well now I wouldn’t be in a rush to give up picks to get rid of him. I mean even if you fall short this year, he leaves in FA and frees up a massive amount of money to spend.
With the Pacers playing good ball and winning i doubt they will trade for Westbrook even with a couple of draft picks their way. More likely Lakers do no trade since draft picks are their only asset they could trade.
It wasn’t on here, but I really wish LA writers would knock it off with the stupid Derozan and Vucevic for Russ and their two available 1sts trade rumors.
That trade makes ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE from the Bulls perspective, and if they were trading away DD or Vuc they could easily get back alot more than that garbage deal..
Not really.
Wrong try again
Not really, sorrynotsorry? That’s a horrible trade idea for Chicago. It makes zero sense. DeRozan is worth at least one of LA’s 1st rounders on his own, then LA wants Chicago to take back Westbrook (which should cost them their other 1st in this scenario) AND kick in Vucevic? Such a dumb proposal.
Worst trade idea for bulls, very good trade idea for lakers. Tx god garpax arent bulls fo anymore
Rozier, Tsunami, and Plumlee make a good deal of sense for them.
The overlap in playtime between Russ and Lebron is working out great for AD. He has two elite passers and he’s the recipient of nice setup after nice setup. AD is playing out of his mind right now but as a team they are getting the ball in the right places and making passes on the cut which is something they didn’t really do much of last year. I’d rather keep Russ than trade him.
Gotta actually play to be an MVP. He’s already been partially or fully unavailable for 4 games. Not bad I guess but considering it’s AD I will believe it when I see it. I would be thrilled to see him dominate in a complete season.