USA Today via Reuters
Jan 10, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 10, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers registered their 9th win of the season against the Houston Rockets. Furthermore, the Lakers played incredibly on the defensive end of the court, led by their superstar Anthony Davis.
AD called out his teammates a few games back for not playing an elite level of defense. However, since the confrontation, the purple and gold have picked things up on the defensive end of the court. Davis in particular was fabulous against Houston as he grabbed 10 boards and blocked 5 shots!
Jared Dudley praises Anthony Davis’ defensive prowess
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Last season, AD finished second in the DPOY race, but many believed he should have taken that trophy home. AD’s teammate Jared Dudley believes Davis is showing early signs of bagging this year’s DPOY award. He said:
“For all the Media Members that have a vote for the Defensive Player OF The Year Vote please watch the Film of the Lakers Vs Houston Rockets game tonight! See how @AntDavis23 impacts the game of the floor like NO other player. Switching on Harden, blocking and altering shots!”
Dudley further added, “The things we ask @AntDavis23 do is unlike any other player in this league..Some teams have Schemes! He is the Scheme! Stats doesn’t always show it. Like a shutdown corner in the NFL not having a lot of INTs! Don’t look at just Blocks or Steals, please look at the Film.”
For all the Media Members that have a vote for the Defensive Player OF The Year Vote please watch the Film of the Lakers Vs Houston Rockets game tonight! See how @AntDavis23 impacts the game of the floor like NO other player. Switching on Harden, blocking and altering shots!
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) January 13, 2021
The things we ask @AntDavis23 do is unlike any other player in this league..Some teams have Schemes! He is the Scheme! Stats doesn’t always show it. Like a shutdown corner in the NFL not having a lot of INTs! Don’t look at just Blocks or Steals, please look at the Film 🙏🏽
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) January 13, 2021
While Davis has proved that he can be a force on both ends of the court, he makes his bread and butter courtesy of his phenomenal defensive prowess. If he can keep his form over the course of the season, there are no doubts that he can win the DPOY award.
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Is Davis the top runner for becoming the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year?
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 12, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
In today’s era, most teams focus on winning games by scoring on a terrific level. However, to win NBA championships, a team needs to find the right balance between their offense and defense. The LA Lakers have already established themselves as a defensive juggernaut in the league.
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For Anthony Davis in particular, this season is the perfect opportunity to win that illustrious DPOY award. So far in the young season, Davis has been nothing but sensational on the defensive end of the court.
The only question that remains unanswered is, can AD keep up this form till the end of the season? What are your thoughts?
