Rich Paul on Criticism of Lakers' Anthony Davis: He's Faced 'Really Freak' Situations
Dec 12, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 04: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after dunking the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 04, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Agent Rich Paul never believed the "injury prone" narrative surrounding Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis.
"Over the last couple years, he's had some really freak situations," Paul said of Davis, per Sam Schube of GQ. "Guy gets pushed into his knee. And then I think the one before that, or the year before that, was a hamstring or a groin, whatever it was. Those are the things that happen when you play the sport. People act like, 'Oh, he's just hoping to go out and get injured.' Or, 'The guy don't want to play.' It's stupidity at times, but that's what comes with it."
Paul also argued the criticism is media-driven to grow viewership.
Injuries have been a major storyline for Davis in the past few seasons, however. After helping the Lakers win the 2020 NBA title, he played just 76 games over the last two years combined. He appeared in three of the final 24 games of 2021-22 as the squad fell out of playoff contention.
Despite his obvious talent on the court, earning eight All-Star selections in his first nine seasons, the lack of durability became a major point of criticism against the forward.
Davis has explained the injuries weren't part of a larger issue.
"There were two injuries I couldn't control," he told Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports earlier this month. "Somebody getting pushed into my knee or falling into my knee, and landed on someone's foot."
The 29-year-old has been more durable in 2022-23, appearing in 23 of 26 games while never missing more than one game in a row. He's averaging 27.7 points per game, which would be his highest total in four seasons with the Lakers, while his 12.4 rebounds per game lead the NBA.
The criticism will fade if Davis continues to produce at a high level while staying on the court.
Lakers Rumors: Bojan Bogdanović, Cam Reddish, Evan Fournier Targeted in Trades
Dec 12, 2022
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 6: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on December 6, 2022 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly are "prioritizing shooting in their conversations with teams" ahead of the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, with a keen eye toward Detroit Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanović and the New York Knicks' wing pair of Cam Reddish and Evan Fournier.
According to Charania's report, the Lakers have "discussed packages including salaries and a protected first-round pick" for Bogdanović and are "among roughly a dozen teams to inquire about him, offering first- or second-rounders." However, Charania added that the Pistons "have expressed to rival teams a significant reluctance about moving" Bogdanović.
The Lakers seem content, at least for the time being, with Russell Westbrook in the sixth-man role. The 34-year-old point guard has played well coming off the bench and is averaging 14.4 points, 7.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from three.
In his three games as a starter this season, Westbrook averaged 10.3 points per game and shot 28.9 percent from the field. The change has done him—and the Lakers—good.
Still, the Lakers find themselves just 11-15 on the year as they continue to recover from a dreadful 2-10 start. One way to surge would be to add more shooting around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Bogdanović would help. The 33-year-old is averaging a career-high 21 points per game this season and is shooting an impressive 43.7 percent from deep. His ability to stretch the floor would open up far more spacing for James to drive to the basket or for Davis to work out of the post.
Reddish, 23, wouldn't be that level of offensive upgrade—he's averaging 8.4 points per game this season and is shooting only 30.4 percent from three—but he would give the Lakers a young and athletic two-way wing, which is always a valuable archetype of player.
The 30-year-old Fournier is a more natural scorer than his younger Knicks counterpart, even though his production this year (6.9 PPG, 33 percent from three) has fallen well below his career averages (14.2 PPG, 38 percent from three).
Fournier has been a starter for most of his career, but he's been asked to come off the bench in roughly half of his appearances this season, which has perhaps been a difficult adjustment for him to make.
Of all of the players listed, Bogdanović would provide the most obvious solution for the Lakers' needs. However, the Pistons don't seem particularly inclined to let him go at this juncture.
The Los Angeles Lakers notched a 124-117 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, thanks to strong performances by LeBron James (35 points, five rebounds, five assists) and Anthony Davis (34, 15 and seven).
L.A. has now won six of its last 10, and while the Lakers are just 11-15, making a playoff push doesn't seem as outlandish as it did early in the season.
The Lakers' recent change of fortunes could prompt general manager Rob Pelinka to make a win-now trade ahead of February's deadline. There's a chance that a deal could involve a familiar face.
According to Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus, Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma could end up on the trade block—and the Lakers could be logical suitors.
"He wants out," an NBA source told Pincus. "He's looking for over $20 million a season and in a big market [or with a contender]."
As Pincus noted, Washington must at least consider moving Kuzma rather than risk losing him as a free agent in the offseason. Kuzma has a player option for the 2023-24 season that would pay him $13 million—substantially less than what he is reportedly seeking.
Pincus also speculated that Los Angeles could be in on Kuzma if he becomes available.
"Another team to monitor would be the Lakers, knowing Kuzma has
championship experience playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony
Davis," Pincus wrote. "Giving up a first to both part and reunite with Kuzma would fit
the Lakers' track record."
Should the Lakers be interested in reacquiring Kuzma less than two years after sending him to Washington in the Russell Westbrook trade? Probably not.
At first blush, adding Kuzma seems like a great option. He has become a star in Washington and is averaging 21.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season. He's also shooting a career-best 46.2 percent from the floor.
Kuzma is a capable range shooter—he's shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc this season—and theoretically could help provide offensive spacing around James and Davis that Los Angeles could use.
However, the Lakers wouldn't be getting this version of Kuzma. They'd be getting the same role player Kuzma was when he last played in L.A.
When James and Davis were both healthy in the 2019-20 season, Kuzma started just nine games. He averaged 25.0 minutes but just 12.8 points. As Kuzma recently noted, his play style made it difficult for him to be on the floor with James and Davis regularly.
"Here, I'm not playing behind LeBron and AD. Those guys are my position, my type of player, who I am, my style," the 6'9" forward told The Athletic's Shams Charania. "So coming here, I don't have that anymore."
Kuzma's impact would most likely be as a quality sixth man. L.A. already has that in Westbrook, who is averaging 14.4 points, 7.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 40.5 percent from the floor.
Having both Kuzma and Westbrook on the roster wouldn't make a ton of sense, and Los Angeles isn't going to convince Washington to take back Westbrook.
The other factor to consider here is Kuzma's future. If he wants to remain a starter and is looking for $20 million-plus annually, it won't be with L.A. Hypothetically, the Lakers would be giving up a future first-round pick for the short-term rental of a bench player.
And this is assuming a first-round pick would be enough to net Kuzma. According to Pincus, the Kuzma is "believed" to be on the Sacramento Kings' radar. Having two (or perhaps more) interested teams could drive up Washington's asking price significantly.
If the Lakers are looking to make a trade to win now, they have other options worth pursuing instead of Kuzma. According to Pincus, the Lakers are interested in acquiring DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević from the Chicago Bulls.
While L.A. would lose Westbrook in this scenario, it would add a versatile player in DeRozan and a true center in Vučević who could help take some of the physical pressure off Davis. DeRozan can play either forward or guard and could replace the struggling Patrick Beverley in the starting lineup.
What sort of deal the Lakers pursue before the deadline will hinge heavily on how they fare over the next few weeks. However things unfold, Kuzma isn't the right trade target for L.A.
If the Lakers continue trending upward and hope to win now, Kuzma won't make them a title contender. If they're looking to next season, Kuzma is highly unlikely to be a long-term building block.
The idea of reuniting James, Davis and Kuzma is intriguing, but given the likely cost and benefits, it's not a deal Los Angeles should force.
Anthony Davis 'On Another Planet' as LeBron James, Lakers Defeat Pistons
Dec 12, 2022
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 11: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers high-fives teammate LeBron James #6 during the game against the Detroit Pistons on December 11, 2022 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers closed out their six-game road trip with a 124-117 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, and it took another herculean performance by star big man Anthony Davis to earn the victory.
Davis finished with 34 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block to help Los Angeles snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 11-15. Lakers star LeBron James recorded a team-high 35 points.
In his last five games, Davis has crossed the 30-point mark four times. The only anomaly is when he was forced to exit last Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers because of an illness after playing just a single quarter.
NBA Twitter showed love to Davis after another impressive performance, as the 29-year-old is performing at a level that has many believing he's one of the best players in the league:
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both playing at an extremely high level, and the Lakers won’t make a trade to make sure their performances don’t go to waste.
When the Lakers give the ball to AD they score …. But then they just suddenly stop going to AD & think they can shoot. It’s so frustrating cause it’s so easy but the Lakers make it hard
The Lakers have had trouble maintaining momentum this season, as the team's roster still has some holes. However, having Davis in the lineup at full strength gives Los Angeles a superstar who can be the best player on the court each time he steps on it.
Davis and the Lakers will look to keep the momentum going when they return to action on Tuesday at home against the Boston Celtics, who have the best record in the NBA at 21-6.
Steve Kerr Says Warriors Needed Win vs. Celtics: 'We've Been a Bit Stuck in the Mud'
Dec 11, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors shoots and make a three-point shot at the buzzer over Luke Kornet #40 of the Boston Celtics at the end of the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on December 10, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors finally started looking like defending NBA champions on Saturday night.
Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry combined for 66 points and the Warriors locked in on defense for a 123-107 win over the Boston Celtics.
"Especially the way they've played this year, they've just been so good, so dominant. I thought we needed a game like that," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters. "We've been a bit stuck in the mud. It feels like we've gotten better, but not a whole lot to show for it. This was an important win for us."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4h-Wa6Y_Ms
The Celtics are off to a blistering 21-6 start and look like favorites to repeat as Eastern Conference champions.
Meanwhile, it's been a slog both on and off the court for the Warriors. Their title defense began with Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole in the face during a preseason practice, and a malaise has followed Golden State to a 14-13 start. Thompson is playing the worst basketball of his career as he continues his journey back from a pair of devastating leg injuries, and Poole has been disappointing since signing a four-year, $128 million extension.
Golden State has just a 2-11 record in away games this season, which is typically a pretty good barometer of a team's togetherness.
Kerr and Curry said they're hopeful Saturday's win over the Celtics will help spark a turnaround.
"It just gives you the recipe on the intensity and focus you have to have to beat a team like that," Curry said. "Knowing how hard it is to win on the road, we haven't done it well at all this season. ... We want to feel good about ourselves getting on the plane ... and figure out how to really take advantage of the opportunity in front of us."
Warriors' Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson Touted for 'Masterclass' in Win vs. Celtics
Dec 11, 2022
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry looks to pass during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Splash Bros. cooked all night en route to leading the Golden State Warriors to a 123-107 home win over the Boston Celtics in an NBA Finals rematch on Saturday.
Klay Thompson dropped 24 first-half points and finished with a game-high 34, and Stephen Curry added 32. They combined to score 66 points on 26-of-47 shooting while knocking down 10 three-pointers. Curry added seven assists and six rebounds and finished plus-20 on the evening.
The Celtics simply couldn't keep up with the duo in part because of an off-night from MVP candidate Jayson Tatum, who shot just 6-of-21 for 18 points and was bothered by Thompson's defense. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 31 points.
This win was arguably one of the most impressive victories any NBA team has registered this year.
The Celtics rolled into San Francisco with a league-best 21-5 record as winners of 18 of their last 20 games. They sport the league's top offensive rating and sit 10th in defensive rating, per Basketball Reference.
But they couldn't handle the Warriors backcourt's firepower, which allowed Golden State to lead by as many as 20 points. Boston's last lead came with 6:12 left in the first quarter. It was an impressive result, especially with Andrew Wiggins (right adductor tightness) out.
This ultimately was a masterclass performance from Curry and Thompson, who have routinely torched teams in their combined 26 NBA seasons. The four-time champions have endured an uneven 14-13 start, but they showed what they're capable of at their peak on Saturday.
This team has Stephen Curry. This team has Draymond Green. This team has Klay Thompson. This team has Jordan Poole. Andrew Wiggins did not play. Jonathan Kuminga has arrived.
Fuck the record. This team turns up like no other. Doubt them at your own risk.
— My Mother's Country Went Back to Back to Back!!!! (@sebguts10) December 11, 2022
This Warriors dynasty is now 4-0 in initial rematches against the Finals opponents they beat. They've won those games by an average margin of +10.8 PPG.
The Warriors are still a perfect 14-0 in the regular season when both Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry score 30. pic.twitter.com/rYEMTgM06S
Warriors beat the Celtics. Best early season win. Klay Thompson scored 34 points, guarded Jayson Tatum plenty with Wiggins out. Steph Curry 32 points, six 3s, +20. Kevon Looney 15 rebounds, physical/impactful. Jonathan Kuminga emergence continues: 14-5-3, good individual defense.
The road doesn't get any easier for the Warriors, though, as they will face another tough task Tuesday when they visit Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Warriors Rumors: Bob Myers, Steve Kerr Contract Extensions Discussed by GSW
Dec 11, 2022
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 16: Head Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors talks with President of Basketball Operations, Bob Myers after Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 16, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors are exploring new contracts for head coach Steve Kerr and general manager Bob Myers.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Warriors have "broached the concept" of an extension with Kerr.
Myers, whose current deal is set to expire after this season, and the Warriors have had talks about a new contract, but they "appear to be on hiatus" right now.
Myers most recently signed an extension with the Warriors in June 2019. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed at the time, but Wojnarowski reported Saturday it's believed his current contract expires at the end of June.
There would seem to be more urgency for the Warriors to get a deal done with Myers than Kerr.
Kerr has two years left on his current deal, according to Wojnarowski. The 57-year-old has been Golden State's head coach since May 2014.
The Warriors have built the closest thing to a modern-day dynasty thanks to their core group of Thompson, Green and Stephen Curry. They are spending massive amounts of money to keep them together and field a roster around them.
Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, Golden State's combined payroll and luxury-tax payment for the 2023-24 season already projects to be $483 million with just 12 players under contract if Green opts in to his deal.
Myers began his professional career as an agent before moving into the front office. He has only worked for the Warriors since being hired as assistant general manager in April 2011.
After Larry Riley was demoted from his post as general manager in April 2012, Myers was promoted to the job. He helped build the roster that has led the Warriors to four NBA titles in the past eight seasons.
Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, Kevon Looney and Jordan Poole are among the notable Golden State draft picks since Myers joined the front office 11 years ago.
Myers was also the general manager when the Warriors signed Kevin Durant in July 2016.
Golden State has gotten off to an inconsistent start this season. Its 13-13 record entering Saturday ranks 11th in the Western Conference, but it's only 4.5 games behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the top spot.
LeBron James, Lakers Blasted by NBA Twitter for Poor OT Shooting in Loss vs. 76ers
Dec 10, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 09: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on December 09, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 133-122 in overtime on Friday night at Wells Fargo Center, dropping to 10-15 on the season.
Anthony Davis had a solid outing, finishing with 31 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 36 minutes. However, LeBron James, who returned from a one-game absence due to an ankle injury, struggled.
James finished with 23 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals in 43 minutes. He made 9-of-22 shots from the floor and 1-of-8 shots from deep.
While James' performance was underwhelming, the entire team struggled to get anything going in overtime, scoring just two points in OT after Davis tied it at 120 with a free throw late in the fourth quarter.
Following the loss, James and the Lakers were ripped by NBA Twitter for their subpar late-game performance:
Fitting overtime for a #Lakers team that didn’t deserve to be anywhere close to a W tonight. Going from that type of comeback to that type of let off is frankly pathetic man
Impossibly, the Lakers came from 9 down with 29 seconds left to tie in regulation. Then, impossibly, they missed their first 9 shots in overtime and lost by 11. What a weird team.
NOOOO: Both Austin Reaves and AD missed a free throw that would've won it ... as Doc's Sixers suffered as awful a turnover-plagued meltdown as I've ever witnessed. Lakers broadcasters declared the game "over" with 3 minutes left. NOPE. OVERTIME.
James has been dealing with an ankle injury since a Dec. 2 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He played the next two games before sitting out Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors because of the ailment.
If the Lakers are going to improve this season, it's going to have to start with James staying healthy, though that could be a tough ask at this point, especially considering he appeared in just 56 games last season due to a number of injuries.
Warriors' Steve Kerr: Celtics Have Been 'By Far the Best Team in the League'
Dec 9, 2022
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 07: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on December 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have put their loss to the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals behind them and are fully focused on lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2023.
That loss still stings, but the Celtics have shown much improvement since being defeated in the Finals, and they will get the opportunity to show the Warriors what they're made of when they match up for the first time this season on Saturday.
Golden State isn't taking Boston lightly, either, with head coach Steve Kerr telling reporters Friday that the Celtics, led by the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, have undeniably been the best team in the league this year.
"I'm sure the motivation from last year is there and is driving them," Kerr said. "They've been, by far, the best team in the league."
In last season's Finals, the Celtics fell to the Warriors in six games and saw their offense sputter. Boston averaged 100.8 points against Golden State, down from the 105.0 points they averaged in the Eastern Conference Finals and the 111.8 from the regular season.
Reeling from that loss, the Celtics have turned their disappointment into meaningful success this season, and they're reaping the benefits.
While Boston's defense hasn't been nearly as good, the team currently has the best offense in the NBA with a 119.9 offensive rating. The next-closest team is the Phoenix Suns, which have a 116.3 offensive rating.
The Celtics have also greatly improve their shooting. Last season, they shot 46.6 percent from the floor and 35.6 percent from deep. This year, they're shooting 49.3 percent from the field and a league-best 40 percent from beyond the arc.
The meteoric rises of both Tatum and Brown have certainly contributed to Boston's offensive success, but the addition of Malcolm Brogdon and the improvement of players like Grant Williams have helped propel the C's this year.
Beyond shooting, the Celtics have also improved their spacing and off-ball movement. Additionally, they're committing far fewer turnovers this year, averaging just 13.8 turnovers, which is the sixth-best mark in the NBA.
A lot of the team's success can be attributed to interim head coach Joe Mazzulla, who appears to have taken this team to its potential.
The Celtics enter Saturday's game against the 13-13 Warriors with a 21-5 record, and they'll be looking to capture one of their biggest wins of the season.
Lakers Rumors: LeBron James to Return from Ankle Injury vs. Joel Embiid, 76ers
Dec 9, 2022
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 06: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers shrugs in reaction during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 06, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 115-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is expected to return to the lineup for Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers following a one-game absence, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
James missed Wednesday's 126-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors with a left ankle injury.
James had been dealing with an ankle ailment since a Dec. 2 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He played the following two games—a win over the Washington Wizards and a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers—before sitting out Wednesday's game against Toronto, which was the second night of a back-to-back for the Purple and Gold.
James has been mostly healthy this season, though he missed a Nov. 7 matchup against the Utah Jazz with left foot soreness and missed five games from Nov. 11 through Nov. 22 with a lingering groin injury.
Any physical setback for the 37-year-old is somewhat concerning for the Lakers, especially considering he only appeared in 56 games during the 2021-22 campaign because of various ailments. With James and Anthony Davis limited by injuries last season, L.A. finished 11th in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record and missed the playoffs.
In 17 games this season, James is averaging 25.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 46.6 percent from the floor and 33.1 percent from deep.
While the Lakers have shown signs of improvement over the last several weeks, they still sit 13th in the Western Conference with a 10-14 record. The health of James will be a significant factor in whether the team turns things around and makes a push for a playoff spot.
The Sixers, Friday's opponent, sit eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 12-12 record, as Doc Rivers' squad also hasn't lived up to expectations this year.
