The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping for a big bounce back in 2022-23 under new head coach Darvin Ham. In his media introduction press conference on Monday, Ham revealed some of his plans for the Lakers next season, including issuing a challenge to star power forward Anthony Davis, who struggled to stay healthy last season. Via Michael Corvo, Ham claimed that Davis “is the key” to the Lakers' success.
Ham on Anthony Davis: "He is the key."
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) June 6, 2022
While the play of LeBron James will be largely indicative of how far the Lakers go in the playoffs, if they make it there, Ham believes the team's true X-factor is Anthony Davis. When healthy, AD is undeniably one of the top power forwards in all of basketball. But his inability to remain on the court was a huge problem for LA last year, and he struggled with consistency when he was available.
Ham is challenging the superstar power forward to return to his dominant ways in 2022-23, and calling him the key to the operation will help Davis understand what's being expected of him this season. Ham stressed the need for AD to become more consistent and available, and that's exactly what Lakers fans will be expecting of Davis this coming year.
"I think he's the key… We need consistency out of Anthony Davis. We need him to be healthy, we need him to be in a good mental space and we need him to be consistent as possible and back to playing that championship type basketball"
— Darvin Hampic.twitter.com/stK96BYGc3
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 6, 2022
Last year, Davis featured in just 40 games for the Lakers, averaging 23.2 points. 9.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. He figures to play a key role in the Lakers' offense this season, which Ham indicated would be run as a 4-out and 1-in scheme. Ham is hoping to get the most out of Davis this season and understands that anything short of a huge year from the 29-year-old will significantly reduce LA's chance at another title.
The message to Davis is clear, and now it's time for AD to step up and rise to the challenge issued by his new head coach.
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