3 Reasons Why Anthony Davis is Perfect Next to LeBron James

Defense

When Davis wasn’t exhausted from shouldering a behemoth load on offense for New Orleans, he was the best defensive player in the league, hands down. A lot of defense is effort and how good one player or another is perceived to be on that end of the court is more often than not a reflection of their willingness to bust their ass. On defense, players that play hard are simply better. It’s a foolproof formula. Turn on a basketball game. watch your kids in the driveway, find a gym and play some pickup. No matter the circumstance or rosters, some basketball commandments are omnipresent. He who tries harder is oft the better defender is an undefeated golden rule. And Anthony Davis somehow supersedes it. Even when he isn’t engaged and has one of those My Hands are On My Knees and I’m Bent Over Watching Sweat Waterfall Off My Face moments on defense, no. 23 is still horrifying. He’s still a lethal rim protector and he impacts how each opposing player operates on the offensive end of the court even when he’s not paying attention. Plus, even if a brave soul dare challenge the rim when it appears that Davis is unengaged, he can flip the switch in a moment’s notice and possesses the elitist foot speed, length, and mental wherewithal to flash over swat a challenging shot 10 rows deep. With LeBron growing yet another year older into his mid-thirties and the Lakers’ obvious defensive issues last season, Davis will have to anchor them on that end of the court. Of course, he’s more than capable.