Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers is a player who is still underrated and underappreciated by a good number of people. He still has plenty of critics who allege that he is inconsistent, lazy, unmotivated and soft, and such critics seem to be unwilling to give him any credit.
Some of those critics are in the national media, and even though Davis is coming off what was probably the best season of his career, these pundits seem stubbornly committed to their false narratives about him.
ESPN.com just released its ranking of the top NBA players from No. 50 to No. 11, and the superstar big man came in at No. 13.
Via ESPN:
“Davis is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, collecting a personal-best 12.6 rebounds per game, along with 24.7 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 blocks,” wrote Dave McMenamin. “All while playing 76 games — a career high. After a rough stretch of injuries following the 2020 title, Davis reminded everyone of his place as one of the most dominant two-way talents in the game. And at 31 years old, Davis should have plenty of meaningful basketball left in him as the Lakers look to return to contention with new coach JJ Redick.”
It says something about how underappreciated Davis is that Victor Wembanyama, who is a very good player but still has only a rudimentary offensive game, came in two spots ahead of him. At No. 12 is Jalen Brunson, who has become a very dynamic player and has elevated the long-suffering New York Knicks into championship contention, but unlike Davis isn’t much of a defensive player.