Anthony Davis returns to MVP form amid Lakers' turmoil

As the Los Angeles Lakers launched the JJ Redick era with a strong start, Anthony Davis made a compelling case for NBA Most Valuable Player honors.

Davis set the tone with a dominant opening-night performance, recording 36 points and 16 rebounds in a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Three consecutive 30-plus-point outings followed, cementing his early-season MVP credentials — an expectation that has long accompanied the Lakers’ star.

Los Angeles jumped to a 10-3 record, driven by the 31-year-old’s brilliance. Among his contributions was an improved outside shot, a long-standing weakness in his game. Over a five-game stretch, he connected on two three-pointers per game, demonstrating a newfound confidence from beyond the arc. 

Since his title-winning 2019-20 campaign, Davis had rarely attempted shots from deep. He has averaged 2.4 three-point attempts per contest this season, his highest mark in four years.

Despite his dominant start, the 6-foot-10 center's momentum slowed as the Lakers’ early-season success led to struggles. Redick’s honeymoon period faded, and Davis’ production became inconsistent. While he delivered standout performances, they came less frequently.

Meanwhile, L.A. tumbled down the Western Conference standings, fueling trade speculation and questions about LeBron James’ long-term future with the franchise.

However, Davis has recently experienced a resurgence. Over his last four games, during which the Lakers went 2-2, he has averaged 32.8 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, 1.3 steals and 2.8 blocks per game while shooting 54.9 percent from the field. 

Though his early-season three-point form has not returned, and he has shot just 18.8 percent from deep over the stretch, his dominance on both ends of the floor has been undeniable.

In a Dec. 8 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Davis scored 30 points and made five blocks. On Dec. 15, in a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, he scored a season-high 40 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. 

Over these four games, he has scored 131 points, the fourth-most in the league during that span, trailing only Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His 11 blocks rank second, behind only Victor Wembanyama’s 12.

After slipping in MVP ladder rankings, Davis appears poised to climb again. If he can sustain this level of play and regain his early-season consistency, he could reinsert himself into the award conversation.

Still, the Lakers big man insists that team success remains his top priority, particularly after being overlooked for Defensive Player of the Year last season.

“The MVP stuff and all that stuff will come whenever it comes, if it comes. It’s not like I’m going to dominate so I can win MVP,” Davis told Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports. 

“I think a lot of times when players focus on winning an individual award, they get lost in that and not focusing on team basketball… As long as my team is winning and playing the right way, that’s my MO. I don’t care about anything else.”

Los Angeles is in play-in contention and has a 4-6 record over their last 10 games. The franchise needs an MVP-caliber Davis to lead the way. Without it, another season of mediocrity looms for a team desperate to rediscover its winning identity amid LeBron James' pending retirement.