“Pissed” Anthony Davis Breaks Silence on NBA Narrative Which Favors Victor Wembanyama After DPOY Snub

While it might seem a little weird saying this, you still have to ask: how does the NBA perceive Anthony Davis?

For starters, he doesn’t have a Defensive Player Of The Year Award. It’s not a personal attack. You just expect certain legendary figures to have those accolades. Like Guns ‘N Roses, for instance. They never won a Grammy despite selling 30 million copies of their debut album. This disconnect between perceived impact and formal acknowledgment is something AD feels himself.

DPOY frustrations: Anthony Davis speaks out on his overlooked efforts

Sitting down for a one-on-one with ESPN’s Shams Charania, Davis shared that he was “shocked” first before pissed. And with good reason, too! Recounting an instance from his earlier days, Anthony said, “When I first got in the league defensive play of the year was awarded to a big that block shots, who led the league in blocks. I mean, I’d done that three times early on in my career! It didn’t come to me.”

All the Anthony Davis faithful would know those three instances he was referring to: two back-to-backs and a third, further down the road (2014-2.8; 2015-2.9; 2018-2.6). Hence, it wasn’t surprising when he admitted, “I’m pissed I don’t have one [DPOY award], for sure, because I know how much I put into the defensive end.“

Throughout his career, Davis has been a constant force in the paint, earning accolades for his shot-blocking, rebounding, and versatility. This season, he has continued to dominate with averages of 25.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game, showcasing his defensive and offensive balance. 

As such, Davis expressed his frustrations with the way awards are sometimes decided. Especially when it comes to individual achievements in the context of team success. “I know it also has a lot to do with the team defense as well. Right? Which confuses me as well, though, because it’s an individual award,” he shared.

The conversation, though, took an interesting turn when the 9x All-Star discussed the perceived narrative surrounding Victor Wembanyama’s potential rise to DPOY prominence. While Davis acknowledged Wemby’s impressive blocking stats, he questioned whether blocks alone should define defensive greatness.

“I feel the narrative is being pushed for Wemby to get it, right? He’s averaging, what, like four blocks or something crazy like that, but then it goes back to, are we talking about just blocks?” the 31-year-old asked candidly.

It’s a valid critique. Defense is about more than just protecting the rim—it’s about versatility, guarding multiple positions, disrupting passing lanes, and excelling in team dynamics. Davis, who has consistently been one of the league’s most versatile defenders, finds it puzzling that narratives often overlook these broader contributions.

“We have guys who are winning this award that all they do is block shots. They’re not good in pick-and-roll, not good in one-on-one defense. Like, I mean, you look at me: I guard one through five. Last year, I was the best defender in pick-and-roll. I’m guarding guards, coming off pin downs, like it doesn’t matter. Whatever you want me to do defensively, I can do,” he stated with conviction.

Adding to the narrative around Wembanyama, analysts like ESPN’s Tim MacMahon have fueled expectations, calling Wemby potentially “the most dominant defensive player we’ve ever seen.” As impressive as Wembanyama’s Rookie of the Year campaign was, Davis’ comments highlight how hype can sometimes overshadow broader evaluations of defensive performance.

Why Davis has moved beyond chasing DPOY

In an early December exclusive with Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports, AD revealed that he’s tried to move on from chasing the DPOY award. “I honestly just stopped caring about it. But I’m not sure why I haven’t received one yet, even though I’m in a conversation about it every year. At this point, I’m kind of just over it. I’m focusing on winning a championship.” 

It was a sentiment he echoed during his chat with Charania, as well, noting that “it’s whatever… it’s too much stress for me to be thinking about that.” This perspective, though, doesn’t mean that he’s given up competing. In fact, Anthony Davis remains determined to perform at an elite level.

“I think I’ll be an All-NBA player as well.” He went on to say that the Lakers’ skid during a rough stretch of the season had “knocked me down a little bit,” but AD expressed confidence that he can still climb back. That said, the 3x gold medalist’s frustrations highlight broader questions about how the NBA judges defensive greatness.

Wemby’s shot-blocking figures are undeniably impressive. But Davis’s critique of the narrative highlights the need for a more nuanced evaluation of defensive impact. With the season still going on, both players have the opportunity to show what they can do and make their case for the DPOY award, or any other awards, even stronger.

One thing is for sure: fans are in for a show. Whether it’s Wemby swatting shots into the third row or AD locking down guards and bigs alike, the DPOY conversation is far from over.