Training camp for the 2023-24 NBA season is slowly but surely approaching, and while there is plenty of time before it begins, it’s time for players to start ramping up their training and preparation.
That’s especially true for the Los Angeles Lakers, who are hoping to win their 18th world championship next summer. They magically remade what was a broken roster in January and February, and now they’re aiming for the sky rather than just trying to tread water.
Anthony Davis is coming off arguably his most productive season, but many feel there is still room for improvement. Focusing on these three goals will allow him to play to his full potential this coming season.
Continue to be a beast defensively and on the boards
Davis showed a ferocity in terms of rebounding and shot-blocking this past season that was simply outstanding. He averaged 12.5 rebounds a game, and had he played enough games to qualify, he would’ve been officially recognized as the NBA’s leader in that category. Davis also added 2.0 blocks per game, and as usual, he was the Lakers’ main backbone on defense.
During the playoffs, he stepped things up in both categories. He put up 14.1 boards and 3.1 rejections per contest, and he eclipsed the 20-rebound mark twice and the five-block mark three times.
Head coach Darvin Ham has built a culture centered around defense, and Davis needs to keep up this type of production to maintain L.A.’s newfound status as a stingy defensive team.
Be more consistent
From mid-November to mid-December, Davis went on a torrid stretch the likes of which few NBA players have ever produced. During that stretch of 13 games, he averaged 32.4 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game while shooting an incredible 64.1 percent from the field.
But down the stretch of the regular season and in the playoffs, he turned in some duds at times. His inconsistency isn’t as bad as some make it out to be, especially since his effort defensively and on the boards have been a constant, but the Lakers can afford very few games under 20 points from him, especially in the postseason.
Stay healthy
Needless to say, Davis is injury-prone. After managing to stay healthy all through the championship season, he has appeared in 36, 40 and 56 games in the three years since then.
In the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns, he suffered multiple significant injuries that cost him time. But this past season, after returning from a stress injury in his right foot, he played in almost every game from that point on.
Los Angeles may be able to survive without him for a few weeks during the regular season. But anything more than that would be a major cause for worry.
