Anthony Davis Stresses Accountability as Essential for Lakers’ Championship Push Next Season
Anthony Davis has made it clear that accountability will be crucial for the Lakers next season if they want to chase a championship. Despite recent struggles, Davis remains focused on winning titles with the Lakers and stressed the importance of every teammate holding themselves accountable to achieve that goal.
“The ultimate goal is still to win championships. We can’t skip steps. The first step is holding everyone accountable. We’re going to show up to work, and if something goes wrong, we’re going to address it head-on, and then we’ll figure out the rest.”
Davis had a stellar season, averaging 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.3 blocks in 76 games while anchoring the Lakers’ defense. Many believe he was the team’s best player last season, even outshining LeBron James. James also had an impressive season, with 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in 71 games. The Lakers’ struggles can’t be pinned on their star duo; instead, a lack of accountability in the locker room, exacerbated by tension between coach Darvin Ham and the players, contributed to their disappointing season.
With JJ Redick stepping in as coach, the Lakers are aiming to become a more self-aware and cohesive unit, where players’ voices are valued. The team, with a roster nearly identical to last season except for rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, hopes to rally and make a serious title run.
Have The Lakers Failed LeBron And Davis?
Despite having two of the top-15 players in the NBA, the Lakers have been criticized for not being competitive enough, even when LeBron and Davis performed at an elite level. Injury woes in previous seasons were a factor, but the 2023-24 season saw the team fall short despite relatively good health. Critics, like Tim Bontemps, have slammed the Lakers for wasting the LeBron-Davis era.
“The biggest takeaway from this tournament is how poorly the Lakers have been run in recent years, squandering the talents of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It’s unfathomable that this team, with such star power, remains irrelevant,” Bontemps said.
The Lakers are hoping to find the right mix in their rotations and get better results from a familiar roster, aiming to improve on last season’s first-round exit and Play-In status. Without a major roster shakeup, the team is banking on JJ Redick’s coaching prowess to turn things around from day one.