Anthony Davis still believes in pairing with LeBron James

Anthony Davis thinks he and LeBron James can still be the core of a title team moving forward despite two straight disappointing seasons following their championship in 2020. “I think us two can. We’ve shown that we can,” Davis said, conducting a season wrap news conference before the Los Angeles Lakers played their final game of the season on Sunday. “I don’t know that’s something we just have to reevaluate in the offseason, upstairs, me and him talking about this season and what we would like to see next season and kind of just figure it out.
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski @ ESPN

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Katy Winge @katywinge
DeMarcus Cousins explained he was taking a page from the LeBron James playbook to draw that flagrant foul. Said he went up a while back to swat LeBron, completely missed, but James acted and got him ejected.
Cousins said he was working it. The peek? “I was just messing around.” – 1:22 AM Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: Anthony Davis believes him and LeBron James can still lead a title team but admits the duo need to discuss “what changed” since the Bubble in rebuilding a contender this summer es.pn/3Kxb4zH – 1:19 AM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron James will be the first to talk tomorrow at 9am, according to the schedule sent out by Lakers PR. pic.twitter.com/Cy887oeXcT – 1:04 AM Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I want to be clear about something. I have been very hard on the Lakers front office. I think deservedly so. I would not retain Rob Pelinka or Kurt Rambis.
But I think this is fixable no matter who the GM is. The Lakers have LeBron and AD. The hardest part is already done. – 12:49 AM StatMuse @statmuse
Coaches fired on a LeBron team:
Paul Silas
Mike Brown
David Blatt
Luke Walton
Frank Vogel
Shoutout to Erik Spoelstra. pic.twitter.com/4fLzYb80H3 – 12:42 AM Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Lakers, picked by Vegas to win 52.5 games, end the season 33-49 – a final win in DEN offering respite from a painful campaign. LeBron, Westbrook and Rob Pelinka are all slated to speak to reporters Monday as part of exit interviews. There will be plenty of questions to answer – 12:39 AM Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Triple-doubles as a rookie: Austin Reaves, 1. LeBron James, 0. Draw your own conclusions, people. AK – 12:09 AM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
I asked Anthony Davis about Russell Westbrook’s often turbulent relationship with fans this season, how he and LeBron had communicated with him, and if he thought it could be healed. Davis’ response was four minutes long, and he wrapped up with this point on Russ’ role: pic.twitter.com/8o30BXvqhi – 10:03 PM Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Anthony Davis gives his thoughts on Coach Vogel in Pre Game…
“He hasn’t had a chance, especially in the last 2 years, to coach his team (referring to the injuries)…”
“Frank is one of my favorite…He knows what he’s doing…Goes to war with his players.”
@ESPNLosAngeles – 9:12 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Anthony Davis says Frank Vogel is one of his favorite coaches he’s had, that “he knows what he’s doing” and “goes to war for his players.” Says he feels Vogel didn’t get enough chances to coach his full, healthy team. – 9:03 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Anthony Davis is now conducting an exit interview in Denver. He says as far as he knows, his sprained foot is OK and doesn’t need any further medical options, but he thinks he’ll have an MRI to check up on it in the coming week. – 9:01 PM Dave McMenamin @mcten
Frank Vogel says LeBron James did not make the final trip of the Lakers season because he had an MRI on his left ankle scheduled in Los Angeles. When asked if the team had the results of the MRI available, a team spokesperson said, “No.” – 8:10 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
The Lakers disclosed earlier today the LeBron did not travel because of a medical appointment; Vogel adds pregame that he got an MRI yesterday. – 8:09 PM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Michael Malone said Denver will be sitting a bunch of guys tonight against the Lakers: Jokic, Gordon, Barton and Morris.
For LAL, no LeBron, AD, Westbrook or Anthony. – 7:48 PM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Kyrie: “I think somebody’s in the back room hip hip hooraying whoever created the Play-In tournament. Because last year you get Steph and LeBron, this year you get me and KD going against the Cavs in the Play-In game.” – 7:04 PM Bill Oram @billoram
As a matter of housekeeping, LeBron James is not with the Lakers in Denver for the season finale. He had a doctor’s appointment yesterday regarding his ankle. – 6:50 PM Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
LeBron James is not with the Lakers at tonight’s game in Denver, the team said.
James had a medical appointment in Los Angeles with team physician Dr. Kris Jones yesterday regarding his left sprained ankle and was excused by the Lakers. – 6:50 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kyrie Irving points out that whoever invented the Play-In “must be in a backroom hip, hip, hooraying.” Points out last year it was Steph vs. LeBron, this year they get him and Durant. – 6:41 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
This will be the first non-LeBron Cavs team to finish above .500 since 1997-98. Think that’s something to be proud of regardless of what the short-term outlook is for that team. – 5:57 PM Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“They have to make drastic changes for to be around two to three more years”
For the Lakers to maximize their time with LeBron James, @Gary Payton tells @termineradio and @Eddie Johnson they need an influx of younger players
#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/UmGaSmHWGn – 2:09 PM J. Kyle Mann @jkylemann
lmao in 2001 ainge apparently said he’d trade everyone in the league for lebron (except for kobe) who at the time was roughly 15 years old
youtu.be/bcDdpEWgcYY – 12:07 PM CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
One reason for hope for every NBA non-playoff team, including ageless LeBron James, return of Damian Lillard
by @ColinCBSSports
cbssports.com/nba/news/one-r… – 2:45 AM Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Herbert Jones picks off a pass for a steal. Has total of 188 steals/blocks this season. Most by a rookie in #Pelicans history, breaking previous mark of Anthony Davis is 2012-13 – 6:19 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook join LeBron James (and Kendrick Nunn) on the bench for the season finale in Denver. All ruled OUT: pic.twitter.com/opWVabSeWP – 2:30 PM Bill Oram @billoram
The Lakers have ruled the likely suspects out for their season finale tomorrow in Denver. AD, LeBron, Russ and Melo + Kendrick Nunn who I guess has now been ruled out for the season – 2:30 PM StatMuse @statmuse
LeBron win percentage
.728 with Kyrie
.684 with AD
.685 with Wade
.627 with Ilgauskas
.455 with Westbrook pic.twitter.com/1EpNg2uHr0 – 1:12 PM Geoff Lepper @geofflepper
Hi @Apple, you have preempted notifications on my iPhone with your permanently affixed “Notification Summary” ad, which wouldn’t be so bad EXCEPT IT PREVENTED ME FROM IMMEDIATELY SEEING TEXTS ABOUT MY CHILD’S SCHOOL POSSIBLY HAVING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER ON CAMPUS. GET RID OF THIS NOW – 12:31 PM Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothes
ICYMI: The In Street Clothes Podcast broke down to the Masters. @BrianSuttererMD & I discussed the return of Tiger Woods & the injuries of Bryson DeChambeau. We also did quick hits on deGrom, AD, LeBron & more. open.spotify.com/episode/01zQek… – 10:19 AM Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
With LeBron, AD, Westbrook and Anthony out, LAL’s new starting lineup has had some good stretches these last two nights, but the end-of-bench group has struggled.
OKC took a 7-point lead late in the 1st Q before Gabriel and Ellington stopped a run with B2B 3’s. – 11:06 PM Chris Vernon @ChrisVernonShow
this is my application to be your spokesman @DippinDots 😂
@Jon_Roser gave em to me and said no ad read, just say whatever. what a mistake haha. ps- the song is a bop. pic.twitter.com/VujmJcKHFz – 9:09 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Frank Vogel said AD, Russ and Melo still haven’t been ruled out for Sunday’s finale in Denver. – 8:56 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Frank Vogel says AD, Melo and Westbrook have NOT been ruled out for Sunday yet. – 8:55 PM Jeff Stotts @InStreetClothes
Break out the pimento cheese sandwiches the In Street Clothes Podcast is headed to the Masters. @BrianSuttererMD & I break down the return of Tiger Woods & the injuries of Bryson DeChambeau. We also do quick hits on deGrom, AD, LeBron & more. open.spotify.com/episode/01zQek… – 7:49 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
LeBron missed 1/3 of the season.
AD missed 1/2 of the season.
Westbrook only missed 1 game until LA was eliminated.
That game: LeBron & AD both played and lost to the tanking Blazers.
Russ put up 18.5/7.4/7.1 on the season.
Yet Westbrook is getting all the blame. Come on. – 5:16 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and Carmelo Anthony are all out vs OKC tonight.
Thunder’s lottery odds are in the hands of the new Lakers Big 3: Talen Horton-Tucker, Malik Monk and Austin Reaves. – 2:35 PM Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Kendrick Nunn are out for the Lakers tonight. – 2:31 PM Kyle Goon @kylegoon
No Melo, no AD, no Russ tonight against the Thunder. pic.twitter.com/7pdnl02ncx – 2:29 PM Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron (out for the season), AD, Westbrook and Melo are out again tonight for the Lakers’ final home game: pic.twitter.com/NcqEFniqug – 2:28 PM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Dunc’d On Prime: 2023-24 Crystal Ball with @NekiasNBA
Subscribe to Total Access for ad-free episodes of Dunc’d On, and much more: https://t.co/n4QLDCqWYd pic.twitter.com/TrzyzrCkzN – 2:00 PM Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
LeBron, AD and Russ haven’t been ruled out vs OKC tonight because it’s the last home game and fan appreciation day.
I can tell you what fans would appreciate it if they played: Thunder fans. – 11:04 AM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Dunc’d On Prime: 2023-24 Crystal Ball with @NekiasNBA
Subscribe to Total Access for ad-free episodes of Dunc’d On, and much more: https://t.co/n4QLDC9m6F pic.twitter.com/1f3IZ0GsEt – 11:00 AM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Dunc’d On Prime: 2023-24 Crystal Ball with @NekiasNBA
Subscribe to Total Access for ad-free episodes of Dunc’d On, and much more: https://t.co/n4QLDCqWYd pic.twitter.com/ABJmUlqQ9s – 8:00 AM

More on this storyline

“… come together as a group … to get back to championship mentality that we had our first year. So that would be a very interesting conversation just from the standpoint of what changed. I mean, injuries, but even when we were healthy I don’t think we were able to reach our full potential. For whatever reason. So I think we want to figure it out and just get back to that championship pedigree that us as players know we’re capable of.” -via ESPN / April 11, 2022 As the Los Angeles Lakers wind down one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history and brace for a consequential summer that could include major changes to try to return to a championship trajectory, Anthony Davis says he doesn’t concern himself with hypothetical trade scenarios that involve him. “I can’t control those things,” Davis told ESPN after the Lakers loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, which eliminated L.A. from play-in tournament contention. “That’s an upstairs thing. A Klutch, Rich Paul thing. My agency. “I mean, my job is to go out and play basketball. Obviously I love it in L.A. If that’s something that they’re considering, then we’ll have a conversation about it. I don’t know what they’re talking about, what’s the plan.” -via ESPN / April 7, 2022 To be clear, Davis has no indication that the Lakers will trade him, but as a 10-year NBA veteran, he is aware how the league works. “I mean, I don’t think they’re planning on doing anything ,” he said. “I don’t know, man. F—, I don’t know.” -via ESPN / April 7, 2022