It seems that Lakers guard Austin Reaves has heard just about enough of the Anthony Davis slander. Following a stellar performance in a 121–115 road victory over the Cavaliers, Reaves spoke about how everyone is “quick to murder” Davis but stated that his teammate affects the game in ways most don’t even realize.
“Everybody’s quick to murder AD when he has an off night,” Reaves said of Davis, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “He’s affecting the game more than what the average human is picking up on.”
Davis poured in 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting while pulling down 13 rebounds with three blocks, three assists, and two steals in 38 minutes. He was integral to the team’s road victory, as the Lakers played shorthanded and only went three deep into the bench.
While Davis’s impact on both ends of the floor is certainly noticeable, he’s exceptionally impressive defensively, with the ability to both defend the rim and guard smaller opponents around the arc.
Anthony Davis vs Cleveland Cavaliers
— A Walking Highlight (@11AWH) November 26, 2023
32 PTS
13 REB
3 AST
2 STL
3 BLK
13/20 FG
6/7 FT#LakeShow W pic.twitter.com/iZoEtJpvRV
But statistically speaking, as a scorer, that’s where some of the pushback comes. Davis has averaged his lowest points per game (22.1) since the 2020-21 season and his second-fewest dating back to his sophomore season in the NBA in 2013-14.
Reaves’s defense of Davis is valid, though, as the 30-year-old currently averages the second-most blocks per game of his career at 2.9, along with 12.1 rebounds, and is shooting 54.9% from the field this season.
