Anthony Davis helped deliver a championship to the Los Angeles Lakers. That fact alone should be enough to ensure his number 3 jersey eventually gets raised into the Crypto.com Arena rafters.
Now that he is a Dallas Maverick, and with his first return to Los Angeles set for Nov. 28, the timing feels right to start having that conversation. When you look at the facts, there is not really much to debate.
Anthony Davis gave Lakers fans a championship to remember
When Davis arrived in 2019, the pressure was absolutely enormous. The Lakers had missed the playoffs for six straight seasons, and pairing him with LeBron James was supposed to be the fix. It was.
In their very first year together, the Lakers won it all. Davis was dominant throughout the season and even better in the bubble.
That 2020 title was not some sort of fluke; it was definitely well earned. He anchored the defense, scored at will, and delivered in the biggest moments.
Across his six seasons in L.A., Davis averaged close to 25 points, 11 rebounds, and just over 2 blocks per game. He was named to four All-Star teams, two All-NBA teams, and two All-Defensive teams.
It was very clear that AD was not just part of the team; he was the core of it. Sure, injuries were part of the story. That has sadly been a constant narrative. But it is also true that Davis played through more than he got credit for and stayed relatively healthy the last couple of seasons as a Laker.
When Davis was available, he gave the Lakers everything. On most nights, he was their most impactful player, even when James was suited up next to him.
The team’s struggles in recent years had more to do with poor roster decisions than anything Davis did. He asked for help in the frontcourt and never really got it. Still, he kept them competitive, often carrying the defensive load himself.
It is also worth remembering that the Lakers retired Pau Gasol’s jersey, and while Gasol brought two rings, Davis has an argument for having a more dominant stretch in purple and gold. Different eras, sure, but the impact was the same.
When LeBron’s number goes up in the rafters, and it will, Davis’ should go right next to it. They built this recent chapter of Lakers basketball together. So when Nov. 28 rolls around and Davis steps onto the court in a Mavs jersey, expect respect and a whole lot of cheers.
Whatever happens next in his career, one thing is extremely clear: he left a legacy in Los Angeles worth remembering, worth honoring, and definitely worth hanging in the rafters.