Los Angeles Lakers superstar big man Anthony Davis is preparing for his return to New Orleans.
On Wednesday, he will face his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans, and he isn’t expecting a warm reception from the team’s fans or players.
Davis recently opened up to a small group of reporters and admitted that he’s expecting the upcoming game to be interesting. He also recognized that the players most likely to try to give him all they got are the three players that were shipped to New Orleans in the blockbuster trade that took place this past offseason.
Those players are of course rising star Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart.
“It’s two-folded,” Davis said. “It’s going to be me (against the) Pelicans, and then the three guys (Ball, Ingram and Hart), if they play, against the Lakers. So it’s going to be a great battle. Those guys are going to try to take our heads off just to prove a point.”
Every NBA matchup has a myriad of storylines, but Wednesday’s game is especially enticing.
The Lakers made the move in order to become instant contenders. So far, the decision has certainly seemed to be the right one as they currently lay claim to the NBA’s best record at 14-2. Davis is highly responsible for that success and is currently averaging MVP-type numbers of 25.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.0 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
As for the Pelicans, the addition of the three Lakers youngsters along with the selection of 2019 No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson figured to make the squad an exciting one. Thus far, the Pelicans have disappointed in that aspect. They currently sit at 6-11, and Williamson has yet to play a meaningful minute for the team as he recovers from a knee injury.
That being said, Ingram has certainly taken a leap in his career since leaving Los Angeles and is currently averaging 26.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, all career bests.
Now, the two teams that are seemingly headed in opposite directions this season will meet at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night. While the former Lakers players and vengeful Pelicans fans may try to get the best of Davis, his success so far this season indicates that the Lakers will be headed back to L.A. with another win added to their record.
