After another sterling performance on Thursday from Anthony Davis, LeBron James made sure that fans realized how special the big man is.
The start to Anthony Davis’ 2024-25 season has been remarkable as the big man has elevated to an MVP level early in the campaign.
Thursday’s performance against the Kings was certainly an MVP-caliber showing from AD. While he could not get his shot to fall, he contributed in just about every other way possible, pulling down 19 rebounds while swatting six shots to lead the Lakers to a win. In fact, he finished just one assist and two steals away from an elusive 5x5.
In some senses, this has become something of a norm for AD this season. Even if near 20-20 games with six blocks aren’t “normal,” games featuring that level of dominance from AD are.
After the game, LeBron was asked about AD and wanted to make it clear that what he is doing is not normal.
“AD is special,” LeBron said. “Don’t take those performances for granted and just say, ‘That’s just AD doing AD.’ Nah. That’s a special talent and a special player. We needed every last one of those 20 boards.”
Initially, AD was credited with a 20-rebound game, but the league removed one of his rebounds after the game, making it a far less aesthetically appealing 21-point, 19-rebound outing.
Still, the only other person in the league since 2019 to have a game with 21 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks was Joel Embiid during his MVP season. As a side note, the last player to do that prior to Embiid was...JaVale McGee FOR THE LAKERS in late March of 2019 in a game I do not remotely remember.
Back to the point, though, is that AD went full JaVale McGee mode on Thursday, a recurring trend this season. One of the people to constantly sing his praises is Austin Reaves, who went back to that well after Thursday’s win.
“You got to just continue to give flowers when flowers are due and AD is a monster,” Reaves said. “He does so much for our defense. Offense as well.”
Hopefully, the rest of the league and, specifically, awards voters will finally start to give AD his flowers, too.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
