The Los Angeles Lakers showcased a stunning performance as they dominated the Milwaukee Bucks in double overtime. The Purple & Gold finished the night with a 128-124 victory at the Bucks’ home court. If Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. thought they could exploit a LeBron James-less team, they clearly didn’t take into account their big man, Anthony Davis.

Davis finished the night with a game-high double-double – 34 points and 23 rebounds. But his defensive prowess was what caught the attention of the Lakers legend, James Worthy. “Big Game James” was all praise for AD. According to the tweet by Lakers Daily, Worthy said, “[Anthony Davis] He’s the best defensive player in the league right now.”

While the Lakers themselves do not have a great defensive rating, 18th to be more specific, Davis’ presence ensures they have a chance every night he takes the floor. It’s obvious in the defensive ratings of the team with and without AD. LA has a DRTG of 116.8 with “The Brow” on the court and 125.5 without him this season.

In the second Bucks game of the season without Bron, the team as a whole needed to step up. And while Anthony Davis was instrumental in the major comeback, Austin Reaves rose to the occasion admirably. He finished with 29 points, 10 assists, and 14 rebounds – Reaves’ second triple-double of his career. Hopefully, tonight’s win sets the stage for the rest of the Lakers’ six-game road trip.

How does Anthony Davis measure up to the big men of the league this season?

When you hear of elite big men this season, Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, and Antetokounmpo come to mind immediately. Despite the fact that Anthony Davis has yet to win Defensive Player of the Year, there is no doubt that he is widely considered one of the greatest defensive players in the league.

Even so, Davis is having one of the worst defensive ratings of his career this season – 109.5. While his individual contributions to the team in a match can be a difference maker, matching him up against Jokic or Giannis doesn’t paint him in the best light. AD’s defensive rating against Antetokounmpo this season is 104.1; vs Sabonis shows 117.2, and going up against Jokic is a staggering 120.9.

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Taking a look at the win-loss record provides a slightly better picture, albeit only against the “Greek Freak”. The 9x All-Star has a 2-0 record against the Bucks’ star player. But that’s where it stops. His record against the Kings’ big man, Sabonis is 0-4, and vs the “Joker,” another 0-3.

In the 21st week of the DPOY considerations, Anthony Davis occupies the fifth position. And with James Worthy’s credible assessment, hopefully, AD can finally get the award that has long eluded him. Despite defensive ratings and all.

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