Anthony Davis’ remarkable start to the new season for the Los Angeles Lakers attributed to the impact of rookie coach, JJ Redick.
JJ Redick and Anthony Davis
This season, Anthony Davis has been a revelation for the Los Angeles Lakers, as he has excelled on both offense and defense. Analysts, including former NBA player Kendrick Perkins, have taken note of his outstanding performance and praised him highly.
Kendrick Perkins made an appearance on the “All The Smoke” podcast where he praised the LA Lakers center and called him one of the best bigs in the league, behind the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. He didn’t stop there as he went further to praise rookie coach, JJ Redick for playing a part in “The Brow’s” transformation.
I ain’t gonna lie. I think, damn JJ been coaching his ass.. and he’s unlocked something with AD and I think it’s the dog… he’s just playing with a different type of tenacity and edge… right now he is looking like the second best big in the league right now.
Kendrick Perkins said on All The Smoke podcast
Perkins’ comments have surprised many fans, as the former player-turned-analyst is known for frequently criticizing the Lakers’ star center. Fans may recall when he questioned Davis’s physical conditioning after the Denver Nuggets’ blowout win over the Lakers in the 2022-23 NBA Western Conference Finals.
Evidently, Anthony Davis took the criticism to heart, as his explosive start to the season has been attributed to his peak physical condition. His MVP-level performance has led him to average 32.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.
Anthony Davis nears return as Lakers hope for boost against out-of-form 76ers
While he has been praised by analysts for his impressive start to the new season, Anthony Davis has been sidelined with a niggling foot injury. The Los Angeles Lakers are however optimistic about his potential return for their upcoming game against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“This is a nagging foot injury … that he’s been dealing with since the end of last season.”@ShamsCharania with the latest on Anthony Davis’ injury status for the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/R9UyjRAMIC
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 7, 2024
Davis has been listed as probable for Friday night’s game, which has provided hope for a much-needed spark in the Lakers’ lineup. This update came after ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported the official diagnosis of the injury.
The Lakers are now referring to Anthony Davis’ injury as plantar fasciitis. He has been upgraded to probable for Friday. pic.twitter.com/GI95dQi8Ye
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 8, 2024
Davis’s absence was felt during the Lakers’ 131-114 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. The injury, which has lingered since the end of last season, flared up again in a recent game against the Detroit Pistons, which forced him to sit it out.
Furthermore, his return could help a Lakers team that has struggled to maintain momentum following a strong 3-0 start to the season. After a challenging five-game road trip in which they lost four games, the Lakers now stand at a 4-4 record, and this has made his potential comeback especially timely.
