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SHENZHEN, CHINA – OCTOBER 12: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the match against the Brooklyn Nets during a preseason game as part of 2019 NBA Global Games China at Shenzhen Universiade Center on October 12, 2019 in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
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SHENZHEN, CHINA – OCTOBER 12: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the match against the Brooklyn Nets during a preseason game as part of 2019 NBA Global Games China at Shenzhen Universiade Center on October 12, 2019 in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
If someone told you that Anthony Davis was down in the dumps before he joined the Los Angeles Lakers, would you believe them? This is true, and not only did he demand a trade when he was with the Pelicans, but he has also now spoken up about how he felt during his last few moments with that franchise.
How losing was taking a toll on AD mentally
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After making a brutal public request about wanting to leave New Orleans, there were many suitors for Davis. However, the Lakers were always his first option, so the deal was made. In exchange for AD, the Pelicans got Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, and a couple of first-round picks and the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
However, Davis didn’t just want this trade because he wanted wins, but because the constant losing made him doubt himself. “When you’re losing, you don’t realize that you’re not happy,” Davis said. “You made a ton of money. You can do whatever you want. You can live this lifestyle, quote-unquote ‘The American Dream,’ but losing sucks.”
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 22, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) controls the ball against LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley (21) and center Ivica Zubac (40) in the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
” I {realized that} I’m not happy. I want to be happy. And you kind of go through these times where it’s like, do I really want to play basketball? Am I really good enough? You start doubting yourself because you’re not happy. Or it might be stuff in your personal life where you’re not happy. Whether it’s in a relationship or family, whatever it may be. I had some of those things where it’s like I’m going through something off the court. I’m not happy and it’s reflecting my game. It starts leading to minor injuries, you’re not playing hard enough, things like that,” AD concluded.
The cornerstone of the Lakers: Anthony Davis
Before his trade, Davis was on a downward spiral in terms of his performance with the Pelicans. While he was playing at an MVP level, injuries and trade requests interrupted his form majorly. Now, all that is history.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 21, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) is defended by Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Monroe/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
In his first season with the Lakers, he got exactly what he wanted, which was to win. In fact, LeBron James and Davis quickly became the dynamic duo nobody had expected and ended up leading the franchise to a title. AD became the piece that they were missing for since a decade.
And it looks like they aren’t going to stop anytime soon. The Lakers are one of the top teams in the West, headed right in the direction of a repeat. Can Davis and James pull it off again?
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