He sees all the naysayers… That’s just fuel for him – Rob Pelinka backs Anthony Davis to come good

LA Lakers guard Anthony Davis has been under scrutiny for his mundane performances in the last couple of seasons. Davis has been troubled by a plethora of injuries, which hasn’t allowed him to play at the top of his game.

However, LA Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has put his weight behind the player, stating Davis will prove he is one of the best two-way players in the NBA and he works quietly on his game. Pelinka added that Davis sees all the naysayers and it all fuel for him, which will pump him up for the next season.

Rob Pelinka said on SiriusXM NBA Radio, “AD works quietly. He doesn’t put it on Instagram, the sweat videos. I know he’s been running the sand dunes. I think he’s getting in the boxing ring and doing some reps there. Just really trying to do all he can to come in to camp in incredible shape.

“He sees all the naysayers and all the people saying, ‘Can he stay healthy for a full season.’ That’s just fuel for him, to have a big year. He’s a top three two-way player in our game when he’s healthy and playing at that level.

“That’s who we traded for and I fully expect that’s who he will be for the Lakers next year.”

Davis was at his best in the 2020 season and he had helped the Lakers win the championship along with LeBron James. However, since then Davis hasn’t played at the top of his game due to his injury woes and he will be determined to prove his mettle.

Davis finished the previous season shooting 18.6% from beyond the arc and thus his performances were not up to the mark even when he played. In fact, a lot was expected of the Lakers trio of Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Russell Westbrook but the big three failed to come up with a collective show.

Furthermore, Davis could only play 40 matches for the Lakers in the previous season of the NBA. Davis has all the skills under his arsenal but he will need to put paid to his injury problems to be a consistent performer for the Lakers.