Austin Reaves on Anthony Davis: In my opinion, he’s the Defensive Player of the Year

Austin Reaves on Anthony Davis: In my opinion, he’s the Defensive Player of the Year

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Austin Reaves on Anthony Davis: In my opinion, he’s the Defensive Player of the Year

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What have you thought of this season for Anthony Davis? Austin Reaves: He’s definitely lost in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. In my opinion, he’s the best defender in the league. I can factually say my side of the story, but then you could look at the numbers of when he’s on the court and when he’s off the court with our unit and see the differences defensively for us. In my opinion, he’s the Defensive Player of the Year. He gets lost in that conversation. I don’t know for what reason. He played the most games he’s played in his career this year at 76. What we do wouldn’t work without him at all. He changes the game defensively so much. Offensively, every big man guarding him is always worried about him. When me and D’Angelo come off pick-and-rolls, we have more space and opportunity to create for ourselves and others because if I were another coach, my game plan would be not to let Davis catch the ball. What he does for us, I don’t think, gets talked about enough.
Source: HoopsHype

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Extra shots for AD post practice on Friday in Denver. 👇🏻
He spoke to us (@SpectrumSN 🎥 later) about the team’s mindset for the rematch, and detailed the balance between traps and single coverage for Jokic, plus when to look for O boards vs. get back. pic.twitter.com/7zRfrRuaBe7:22 PM

Bobby Portis @BPortistime
The most important day of the year, @CoorsLight delivery day! A postseason tradition here in Milwaukee. #AD #WIChooseChill pic.twitter.com/RkC1ikah4Z4:56 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Lakers-Nuggets preview for @TheAthleticNBA:
— Can LA hang with Denver in the clutch?
— How will Denver handle LeBron?
— Why D’Angelo Russell and Michael Porter Jr. are both X-factors
— Will Murray outplay LeBron and AD again?
— Series prediction: theathletic.com/5424502/2024/0…1:41 PM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Lakers guard Austin Reaves discussed a wild team travel story, the possibility of being a Laker for life, D’Angelo Russell’s free agency, what he’s learned from LeBron James, why Anthony Davis is his Defensive Player of the Year, and more on @hoopshype. hoopshype.com/lists/austin-r…12:07 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Excited to welcome @Jacksonbht (ESPN, SI, The Messenger) to the @SportingTrib! He was at the @TeamUSA Media Summit in New York and talked to Grant Hill about how LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard ended up on the latest @Olympics “Dream Team.” thesportingtribune.com/lakers-james-c…10:49 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
For the sickos who like to watch, Wednesday’s @LockedOnLakers pod, on YouTube! The Lakers punch their ticket to the playoffs after a 110-106 win over the Pelicans! How did they survive a lack of buckets from LeBron and AD? @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods youtu.be/Fusc2_-sG9I?t=…5:38 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and more. With the Lakers and the Nuggets meeting again, here are some thoughts about the upcoming first round matchup. Please read – theathletic.com/5421934/2024/0…4:15 PM
Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Pelicans fans waited 5 years to see a game like this from Zion Williamson.
It was dominant. It was clutch. It was against Anthony Davis. Then, outta nowhere, it was over.
How Zion’s dream night turned into a nightmare and now leaves NOLA on the brink.
theathletic.com/5421995/2024/0…10:55 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Monday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! The Lakers secure a seven-seed with a 110-106 win over the Pelicans. A big team effort, as others (esp. D’Lo) pick up the offensive slack as LeBron and AD struggle from the field. @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…10:21 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
OFFICIAL: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on Team USA roster for 2024 Paris Olympics.
12-man roster includes LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Kawhi Leonard and Jayson Tatum. #Suns #TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/DXAlFSWMck9:44 AM

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
MIA-PHI feels similar to NOLA-LAL today. Zion, like Embiid v. MIA, could’ve closed out the Lakers at home if not for injury. Like LeBron & AD, Butler/Bam CAN keep it close on the road. Not sure they’ll overcome a full Embiid appearance. All eyes on the big man’s health though. – 1:21 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Anthony Davis said he was affected by his back spasms in tonight’s game. He thinks it affected his ability to make shots around the basket and move in general.
However, he said he expects to be 100% by Game 1 in Denver on Saturday. – 11:38 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Anthony Davis acknowledged that he was limited tonight with his back spasms that occurred late in Sunday’s game, but thinks the extra rest before Saturday’s Game 1 will help him get his back to 100%. – 11:01 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Lakers won 12 of 13 games down the stretch, including the play-in, when Anthony Davis finished the game, with the lone loss at Indiana (3rd game in 4 nights).
Two losses came when AD left the Wolves game in 1st Q, and missed GSW. – 10:59 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Anthony Davis said he was still experiencing back spasms on Tuesday but was confident with the time between now and Saturday’s Game 1, he’ll be able to get back to 100% for the start of the Denver series. – 10:51 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Austin Reaves on going from the 10 seed to the 7, with the starters now 19-6 together: “The last couple months we’ve been really happy with the way we’re playing. We’ve found some stuff offensively … as a team we’re super exited moving forward.” – 10:32 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Free throw attempts tonight:
20 — LeBron and AD
15 — Pelicans pic.twitter.com/mbxm9ePufU10:15 PM

Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Lakers will be tougher competition than they were last year. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are fresher. They don’t play as small as they did last season. Still, it should be a series Denver handles fairly easily. The Nuggets know the Lakers better than they know themselves. – 10:14 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
On a night LAL was outrebounded 50-41 and the bench was outscored 32-17, a couple of huge factors in the Lakers win: only gave up 8 turnovers, leading to 5 pts and while LeBron & AD only shot 12-for-36 from the field, they were 18-for-20 on FTs. – 10:13 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Final: Lakers 110, Pelicans 106
The Lakers advance and will be the No. 7 seed. They will face the No. 2 Denver Nuggets in a rematch of last season’s WCF. LeBron had 23/9/9. AD had 20 and 15. DLo had 21. LA improves to 3-0 in the Play-In.
Up next: Game 1 at Denver on Saturday. – 10:09 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Anthony Davis tonight:
— 20 points
— 15 rebounds
— 3 blocks
— 4-4 clutch free throws
12-3 against the Pelicans. statmuse.com/nba/player/ant…10:09 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Anthony Davis sinks both free throws after a massive offensive rebound and foul. The Lakers are up 106-102 with 14.8 seconds left. Pelicans ball. – 10:05 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
That was a weak call, imo. AD was out of control. – 10:05 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
LeBron is 1-for-8 in the 4th and his legs look shot. But AD bailed him out with a huge offensive rebound with Larry Nance Jr. all over him. AD hits two FTs and LAL is up 106-102 with 14.8 seconds left. – 10:04 PM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
Austin Reaves drive-and-kick to D’Angelo Russell for a corner 3; giving the Lakers a 104-100 lead with 50.3 seconds left. – 9:58 PM
Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
LeBron James scores a tough jumper over Herb Jones, but Trey Murphy responds with a runner over Anthony Davis.
Pelicans not laying down just because Zion Williamson isn’t in the game. – 9:56 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Zion is just absolutely obliterating LeBron and AD in the second half – 9:52 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
NOP’s defensive unit of Alvarado, Murphy, Jones, Zion and Nance has impacted what LAL want to do, and Zion’s taking care of the offense. LeBron and AD are trying to find the extra energy, but Zion has plenty, now up to 40 points on 17 for 27 FG’s.
Tie game with 3:13 left. – 9:52 PM
Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Zion Williamson just made Anthony Davis look beyond average defensively on that drive and score. All tied up at 95 apiece.
Problem is, Zion just walked down the tunnel and presumably to the locker room. – 9:52 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
LeBron is clearly tired, and AD clearly ain’t all the way right from that back injury. It’s officially “hold onto your butts!” time, kids. AK – 9:52 PM
Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Zion Williamson goes thru AD’s chest for another bucket. He’s got 40 points.
It’s the second time in his career scoring 40+ points in a game. – 9:51 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
NOP is selling out to try and contain LeBron + AD in screen/roll action and isolations, and they’re just 9 for 30 in what feels like a Game 2 against a desperate team that lost Game 1.
We’ll see if Rui (5 for 6), Reaves (5 for 10) or Russell (6 for 13) get open looks here. – 9:46 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Did Scott Foster just hit Austin Reaves with a tech? #Pelicans #LakeShow9:46 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
LeBron and AD are a combined 8-for-25. Yet LAL leads 89-80 with 8:59 to go in the 4th Q. Lakers defense is holding NOP to 41.6% overall and 28% from 3. – 9:37 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Zion has already played 32 minutes, 3 more than LeBron and 1 more than AD.
Zion and AD both get a rest to start the 4th, with LeBron running things for LAL. – 9:30 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
AD can’t really move and this Lakers defense is still all over the place. Very impressive switch flip the last two games. – 9:12 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Lakers have been about as active on defense as we’ve seen them all season. And that’s happening while it looks like Anthony Davis is stuck in quicksand. – 9:10 PM
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Lakers / Pelicans kicks:
• LeBron – LeBron 21
• Zion – Zion 3
• AD – LeBron 21
• Larry Nance – Air Jordan 13 pic.twitter.com/3F9BP3cqz89:00 PM

Will Guillory @WillGuillory
First possession of the 2nd half and the Pels failed to get matched up on defense, leading to an Austin Reaves 3.
Not ideal. – 8:56 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Anthony Davis has been dominant all season (24.7 ppg on 55.6% FG’s, 12.6 reg, 3.5 apg, 2.3 bpg, 1.2 spg, DPOY-level D).
He missed a few layups in the 1st half and had 6 points, but he had 8 boards, 1 block and was the main reason NOP struggled to get good looks and shot 41.2%. – 8:48 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Halftime: Lakers 60, Pelicans 50
LA outscored New Orleans 34-16 in the second quarter. LeBron has 15/4/5. DLo has 15 points and 6 assists. AD has 6 points (2-7 FGs) and 8 rebounds. Every Laker has a positive plus-minus except for Spencer Dinwiddie (-9 in 5 min). – 8:40 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Fantastic defense from Anthony Davis on the perimeter as he stuck with Brandon Ingram through a series of moves and ultimately forced a desperation attempt from Jones as the clock expired. – 8:23 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
First quarter: Pelicans 34, Lakers 26
The Lakers were outscored 11-5 over the final 3:50 with LeBron off the floor. DLo has 13 points and 4 assists. AD has 5 points on just 2-of-6 shooting. LA is shooting 34.6%. Zion (10 points) has nearly matched his total from last game (12). – 8:07 PM
Will Guillory @WillGuillory
End of 1st: Pelicans 34, Lakers 26
Williamson 10 pts, 6 rebs
Jones 7 pts
Ingram 5 pts
The activity on the Pels’ side has been infinitely better than it was on Sunday. AD has missed a couple bunnies at the rim, but the Pels are flying around on D. – 8:06 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Zion slips past LeBron AND AD for the score 😲
(via @NBAonTNT)
pic.twitter.com/ffVvNN3yGk7:54 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
If Austin Reaves is guarded by Herb Jones, just don’t bother running PnR with him. He won’t be able to get to his spots. – 7:53 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
A frantic pace to open this game. LA leads 21-20 with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter. DLo has 8 points (two 3s) and 4 assists. AD has 5 points but has missed a few point-blank looks. Both teams are shooting 50%. The Pelicans are playing with more force and physicality. – 7:47 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Lakers’ starters vs. New Orleans:
D’Angelo Russell
Austin Reaves
Rui Hachimura
LeBron James
Anthony Davis
Record as starters: 18-6 – 7:04 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Lakers say Anthony Davis (back spasms) and LeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game at New Orleans. – 6:44 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Anthony Davis (back spasms) and LeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game at New Orleans.
Cam Reddish (right ankle sprain) has been downgraded to OUT. – 6:44 PM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Lakers say Anthony Davis (back spasms) and LeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game at New Orleans. Cam Reddish (right ankle sprain) has been downgraded to OUT. – 6:44 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Anthony Davis and LeBron James are playing against the New Orleans Pelicans, per the Lakers.
Cam Reddish is out. – 6:43 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Anthony Davis is officially cleared to play, per the Lakers. – 6:43 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Anthony Davis and LeBron James are both officially available tonight.
Cam Reddish has been downgraded to out. – 6:43 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Team USA has selected its 12-player roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, sources tell me and @joevardon:
LeBron James
Stephen Curry
Kevin Durant
Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum
Kawhi Leonard
Devin Booker
Jrue Holiday
Anthony Davis
Anthony Edwards
Bam Adebayo
Tyrese Haliburton – 6:28 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Kawhi Leonard has accepted the final spot for Team USA.
Officially one of the most loaded Olympics rosters ever:
LeBron James
Stephen Curry
Kevin Durant
Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum
Devin Booker
Kawhi Leonard
Anthony Edwards
Tyrese Haliburton
Anthony Davis
Bam Adebayo
Jrue Holiday pic.twitter.com/ITduU7UGwM6:24 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Kawhi Leonard has accepted the final open spot for Team USA.
Officially of the most loaded Olympics rosters ever:
LeBron James
Stephen Curry
Kevin Durant
Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum
Devin Booker
Kawhi Leonard
Anthony Edwards
Tyrese Haliburton
Anthony Davis
Bam Adebayo
Jrue Holiday pic.twitter.com/3d9XRAX91e6:21 PM

Khobi Price @khobi_price
Anthony Davis will “in all likelihood” be available for tonight’s play-in game at New Orleans, per Darvin Ham. – 6:06 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Darvin Ham on Anthony Davis: “In all likelihood he’ll be out there for sure. We expect him to be in the lineup.” – 6:05 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Darvin Ham on Anthony Davis: “In all likelihood, he’ll be out there. For sure.” – 6:05 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Pelicans coach Willie Green on Anthony Davis as the clear and obvious defensive key for the Lakers:
“They tend to funnel everything to him, and he’s elite.” – 5:48 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Anthony Davis getting some work in before Lakers – Pelicans 👀
He is currently listed as questionable with back spasms.
(via @mcten)
pic.twitter.com/LMxhfuKjTS5:39 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Anthony Davis going through his typical warm up ahead of Lakers at Pelicans
in the 7/8 game: pic.twitter.com/rF9qjD2Skc5:32 PM

Dave McMenamin @mcten
Anthony Davis out on the court for some pregame work ahead of the play-in game against Nola pic.twitter.com/wuN0kRrnjm5:32 PM

Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
For the sickos who like to watch, Tuesday’s @LockedOnLakers pod, on YouTube! We preview tonight’s Lakers-Pelicans 7-seed play-in game with @NOLAJake with @lockedonpels! LeBron v. Zion! How will the Pelicans guard AD? @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
youtu.be/HPuKbDbusks?t=14:03 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Who needs to have a better game tonight, AD or Zion? 👀
@KendrickPerkins says the pressure is on Zion. pic.twitter.com/MqBo4vB83A3:37 PM

More on this storyline

Tim Reynolds: The US Olympic men’s basketball team, numerical roster: 4 – Stephen Curry 5 – Anthony Edwards 6 – LeBron James 7 – Kevin Durant 8 – Kawhi Leonard 9 – Tyrese Haliburton 10 – Jayson Tatum 11 – Joel Embiid 12 – Jrue Holiday 13 – Bam Adebayo 14 – Anthony Davis 15 – Devin Booker -via Twitter @ByTimReynolds / April 17, 2024
ClutchPoints: “Night in, night out they [Anthony Davis and LeBron James] carry us… I’m glad our bench was able to step up tonight and make some plays.” Gabe Vincent talks about the Lakers’ Play-in tournament win against the Pelicans 🗣 (Via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/HKruQg4AEx -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / April 17, 2024
Magic Johnson: For the Lakers to have any chance to beat the Nuggets this time around, the guards have to bring their A-game. Last year, the Nuggets’ guard trio of Bruce Brown, KCP, and Jamal Murray were dominant! The Lakers’ key to win will be DLO, Reaves, Vincent, and Dinwiddie outperforming -via Twitter @MagicJohnson / April 19, 2024
Some people said maybe the Lakers should lose and avoid the Nuggets. What did you think of that suggestion and facing the defending champs? Austin Reaves: There’s definitely a chip on our shoulder. They’ve beaten us I don’t know how many times in a row, and they put us out of the playoffs last year. There’s definitely a chip on our shoulder to go in and compete at the highest level and prove everybody wrong, basically. There were all these people talking about losing the Play-In game to end up playing the other game to get the eighth seed to play Oklahoma City. That was never even spoken about in our locker room. We wanted to make sure that we got into the playoffs first of all, and more than likely, you’re going to see them at some point anyway, so I’d assume you’ve got to beat them at some point anyway. That’s our main focus. Go out and compete at a high level and try to win this thing. -via HoopsHype / April 19, 2024
What are some funny or wild travel stories with the Lakers? Austin Reaves: The craziest one to me was when we were in Portland, and it was 20 or 30 minutes before we were leaving to go to the game, and the fire alarm started to go off. Fire alarms occasionally go off. They come over the intercom, and they turn them off quickly, but these kept going off. I was like, I didn’t want to be stuck in a burning building, so I got down the stairs and walked out. Everybody else in the building was going out, too. We went out the front, and our bus was leaving from the back from where our meal room was at the time. I think they finally turned the alarm off, but the security for the hotel wouldn’t let me go back there. It’s like how I was talking about before how I fit in with the regular crowd. As an NBA player, how do you travel privately during the offseason when booking hotels and flights? Austin Reaves: For me, it’s not that hard because I kind of look like an average person. I can get around pretty well, especially if I’m wearing a hat or a hoodie. I don’t have to go too incognito, but it’s getting more difficult. Flying doesn’t bother me. With hotels, I’ve traveled spontaneously and gotten regular rooms. I came out to LA for the US Open on a last-minute kind of thing with my mom and my girlfriend, and we just got a place at the Renaissance by the hotel. It was great. For me, it’s not that difficult. -via HoopsHype / April 19, 2024

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