Mar 31, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) looks on during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Controversial NBA analyst wants to remind you how 'special' Anthony Davis is

Originally posted on Dallas Mavericks on SI
By Austin Veazey | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 6:37 PM ET

ESPN's Kendrick Perkins believes the Dallas Mavericks could have the best frontcourt in the NBA. And it's led by the 'special' Anthony Davis.

Most Mavs fans still aren't happy that Anthony Davis is on the team, mostly because it came at the cost of supernova Luka Doncic. It's not that they have anything against Anthony Davis; he just isn't Luka Doncic.

Those are tough shoes to fill, though, especially with Kyrie Irving out for at least half the season as he recovers from ACL surgery. Davis' teams haven't always been successful when he's the clear-cut first option, as evidenced by his New Orleans Pelicans days. But he'll be asked ot hold it down until Irving is back.

In a recent ESPN video comparing the Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, Kendrick Perkins said he thinks people are sleeping on Dallas and Anthony Davis.

“They arguably have the best front line in basketball in Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, and Anthony Davis, and you throw in a sprinkle of PJ Washington and Cooper Flagg. Marshall was pretty damn good for them last year, he’s back, and in the pickup of D’Angelo Russell to hold it down until Kyrie Irving returns.

“With the leadership and head coaching of Jason Kidd. They’re going to be a force defensively. And I think we forget, at times, how special and how dominant Anthony Davis could look when he’s healthy and available."

The reason people forget is that Davis struggles to stay healthy, and that's why people may not be as high on the team. A lot of analysts want to believe the Mavericks will be contenders, but Las Vegas thinks otherwise, setting the over/under win total at 40.5 on FanDuel.

Why There May Be Reason to Doubt the Mavs

Dallas went 7-4 with Anthony Davis in the lineup last season, 6-4 when Kyrie Irving also played, but those six wins were against the Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Sacramento Kings in the Play-In Tournament. None of those teams finished above .500, finishing with a combined 216-276 record.

Oh, and one of those four losses was to the Brooklyn Nets. That's not inspiring, even if the team will overall be healthier, at first. But relying on Davis, who would've qualified for the new 65-game qualifier for postseason awards just once in the last seven seasons. That does not build confidence. At all.

Cooper Flagg will also be asked to be the team's second-best player from the first game, and it is rare for rookies to drive winning, even if Flagg can be very good.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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This article first appeared on Dallas Mavericks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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