Anthony Davis has spent over a decade proving why he belongs among the NBA’s elite. From his early days as a No. 1 overall pick in 2012 to becoming an NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, Davis’s passion for the game and competitiveness has not wavered. Just last season, he arguably had his best showing in a Lakers jersey playing a personal best 76 games while being named to Second Team All-NBA and First Team All-Defense. It was a special season particularly because there had been question marks over his longevity in the league. The former Lakers star missed 114 out of 246 games between the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons, sitting out nearly half of his team’s regular season games over three years. But last season, he flipped that narrative on its head and it seems he isn’t slowing down any time soon.

In the offseason, he looked positive to continue his career in Los Angeles and quashed any retirement talks. “I look forward to going on the road and being in other arenas and they’re booing you. That still excites me. Running out into Crypto, the bright lights still amaze me,” he said. He seemed set for another season alongside LeBron James, but he was shockingly involved in the trade that took him to Dallas in exchange for Luka Doncic early this month. Still, that hasn’t dulled his ambitions and he recently talked about why he wants to continue playing.

In a talk with DeepCut’s VicBlend, the new Mavericks forward spoke about what continues to motivate him to play basketball. And it isn’t the yearning for a DPOY or an MVP that has eluded him, AD finds a thrill in being out on the floor. VicBlend asked him, “Being one of the most achieved players of all time Natty Olympic gold NBA champion what are you still playing for?”

Davis kept it simple, “I still love the game man. It still brings me joy you know. I always said once I’m done I’m like it isn’t fun for me anymore you know then I’ll be done,” Davis shared on the podcast. There are more personal reasons as well.

“Like we talked about before the motivation for my kids, motivation still going out there playing basketball. You know, I still have fun and competing. Still, have fun you know in a process of being ready for a season and trying to win a championship like all that still meaningful to me,” Anthony Davis said.

As a 10-time All-Star, Davis has very less to prove in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists and would have been looking to take the next step with the Lakers this season. Davis began this year exuding these feelings. The dominant forward played at an MVP level, dictating the game on both sides of the floor.

Davis was aware that LA was preparing for LeBron James’s future retirement and he appeared primed for a bigger role. But he had little idea that he would be the one moving on from the team.

On February 1, as he was sitting down for a movie night with his wife in Los Angeles, he received a call from Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick about his move to Dallas.

He impressed in his Mavs debut as he became just the third player for the franchise in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98) to record 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in any half, as he ran riot against the Rockets. However, he exited the game with a lower-body injury in the 3rd quarter.

With Davis now part of a team that reached the NBA Finals, there is a possibility of him finally winning an MVP, but this is not his motivation. Davis relishes the opportunity to compete with the ever-increasing talent in the NBA. And even after 13 years, he embraces those battles.

Davis will likely have the opportunity to compete at the top end of the table with the Mavericks and as he mentioned, if he helps his team succeed this season or in the years to come, individual awards may not be far away.

Meanwhile, his exit from LA brought an end to his association with LeBron James and the Lakers, but their bond is as strong as ever.

Anthony Davis still values his bond with LeBron James

Though the trade has been almost more than a couple of weeks, the shockwaves of Davis’ trade to the Dallas Mavericks are still fresh for the Laker Nation. In the wake of such news, rumors spread faster than fire. There were rumors of discord between LeBron James and Anthony Davis, which played a subsequent role in his trade away from the Purple and Gold!

James wasn’t going to stand for the spread of false news. He instantly took to Twitter to dismiss these rumors. “You a f——- lie!!” he responded to such claims. Likewise, James didn’t have any knowledge about such a trade, even being in the works. And with Davis being the longest star teammate he has played with in his distinguished career, the move didn’t alter their relationship.

Upon his departure, LeBron James wished him nothing but the best. “Love you my dog!! Go crazy over there!” he sent a message to Davis. It was a mark of their strong brotherhood, which continues to exist even though they are no longer teammates. And if you think it’s one-sided, Anthony Davis’ recent claim might squash that.

During the same interview, the 10-time All-Star was posed with a quirky question. The host asked him if Davis was stuck on an island, who would be the one Lakers player he would want by his side. It didn’t take him much time to answer. “Off the top, Bron,” he said, as if it were obvious.

Even though the duo will ‘clash’ in some time, they seem to have no hard feelings, but respect for each other. Also, Davis won’t be part of the Mavericks squad when they play the Lakers next Tuesday. Dallas announced on Thursday that Davis will be out at least two more weeks but is making “good progress” in recovery from a left abductor strain sustained in his debut.

He will be reevaluated in two weeks and the Mavs fans will hope to see him back in action soon. One thing for sure is that he will be eager to prove his worth again and going by his words it will be hard to stop him.