- Former NBA player says LeBron James’ return diminishes effectiveness of Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura
- Charles Barkley explains why LeBron James’ story is the best in sports history
- Tristan Thompson hints that Kyrie Irving and LeBron James aren’t done playing with each other
- Toilet paper brand Charmin takes hilarious shot at Patrick Beverley ahead of Lakers-Bulls matchup
- Report: Lakers upgrade LeBron James’ status for Sunday’s matchup vs. Bulls
- Former NBA player says Austin Reaves is overhyped because he’s ‘white’ and the Lakers are ‘trash’
- Austin Reaves’ semi-worrisome comments about his future with Lakers
- Austin Reaves says he had to buy LeBron James Xbox controller as one of his rookie duties on Lakers
- Tristan Thompson says he surprised LeBron James during Lakers workout: ‘I haven’t seen this since Cleveland’
- Draymond Green says the Lakers are a ‘serious threat’ in the Western Conference
Video: Kendrick Perkins Gets Anthony Davis ‘Early Defensive Player of the Year Award Present’
- Updated: June 20, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis is one of the favorites to win the Defensive Player of the Year award this season.
Retired big man Kendrick Perkins says that Davis will surely claim the award, even going as far as having gifts created for the eight-year veteran.
Got @tridelix to make the lil homie @AntDavis23 an early DPOY present!!! 🔥😤💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/Wr5nmuBy73
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 20, 2020
Davis has been phenomenal on both ends of the court this season, but he’s been especially dominant on defense. His arrival has helped transform the Lakers from a pedestrian defensive team to one of the NBA’s best this season.
Last season, the Lakers ranked 14th in points allowed per possession. This season, the team has risen to the third spot, trailing just the Milwaukee Bucks and defending champion Toronto Raptors.
While the league has been trending towards small ball lineups for the past several years, the Lakers have been able to field massive lineups due to the ability of Davis to guard nearly every position.
Because of this, the Lakers currently lead the league in average blocks per game this season.
Davis has posted stellar numbers this season, averaging 2.4 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
LeBron James predicted way back in November that Davis would win the award. With the season set to resume in a little over a month, fans will be able to see if James’ prediction will come true.