Anthony Davis and LeBron James know how important Davis is to the Los Angeles Lakers‘ success in the playoffs this season.

The Lakers clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference earlier this month, and the team is slated to face the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. For Davis, Portland is a familiar foe, as he was a big part of the New Orleans Pelicans' upset sweep over the team in 2018. The former Kentucky Wildcat racked up 33 points and nearly 12 rebounds per game in that series.

Davis says his experience against Jusuf Nurkic will help, but he also admitted that Portland is a new team:

“I think my experience helps,” Davis said of facing the Trail Blazers in the first round, via The Athletic, “but they’re a totally different team.”

Ultimately, Davis knows what he has to do for the Lakers to win their 17th title:

“It’s more about me being more aggressive now in the playoffs to complete our goal,” Davis said.

LeBron James has confidence in Davis, noting that there should be no added pressure:

“There’s no added pressure,” James said of Davis. “Just go out and be A.D. A.D. is dominant when he steps out on the floor before they’re even starting the stats. And so I think he’s looking forward to the opportunity of being back in the postseason again and as well as his teammates.”

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When it comes to big men in today's NBA, Davis is unique. In his youth, he played the point guard position, which means he is familiar with ball handling and calling plays on the fly. However, a growth spurt in high school changed the fate of his career. As a high school sophomore, he was a 6-foot-2 guard. Eighteen months and eight inches later, he was recognized as the No. 1 prospect in the country.

Now standing at 6-foot-10, Davis is a real headache for opposing sides. He can bang with the best of them in the paint, but he can also dribble right by your best big man from the top of the key. And as a testament to his defensive prowess, he finished third in blocks this season (2.3 per game).

AD can truly do it all:

“He’ll do everything,” James added. “He does everything. He handles the ball for us. He posts up. He’s on the perimeter. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year. I mean, there’s nothing to even (discuss).”

The Lakers will need everything they can get from Davis throughout this playoff campaign. If Los Angeles manages to get past Portland in the first round, they'll advance to face the Houston Rockets or Oklahoma City Thunder.

Game 1 between the Lakers and Blazers is set to tip inside Disney's Wide World of Sports complex on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. ET, with TNT having live broadcast coverage.