Anthony Davis 2021-22 Season: A Deep Dive

Let's dissect Anthony Davis's 2021-22 season, guys. We're going to dive deep into his stats, analyze his performance, and see how he contributed (or didn't) to the Lakers' overall outcome. It was, to put it mildly, a rollercoaster of a year for AD and the entire Lakers squad. We'll break down the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Anthony Davis: The Pre-Season Hype

Before the season even tipped off, the hype surrounding Anthony Davis was real. Coming off a championship run in the bubble (2019-2020), albeit with a disappointing follow-up season due to injuries, expectations were sky-high. The Lakers, having added Russell Westbrook to the mix, were considered frontrunners in the Western Conference. Davis was expected to be the dominant force, the two-way monster, who would anchor both the offense and defense. Analysts predicted a potential MVP-caliber season for him, envisioning him averaging close to 30 points and 12 rebounds while swatting away shots with authority. His health, as always, was the primary concern, but the prevailing sentiment was that if AD could stay on the court, the Lakers would be a force to be reckoned with. The team was banking on his ability to not only score but also to be the defensive linchpin, protecting the rim and deterring opponents from even attempting to drive to the basket. The combination of Davis, LeBron James, and Westbrook was supposed to be unstoppable, a modern-day super team that would dominate the league. The pre-season buzz painted a picture of a team poised for greatness, with Anthony Davis at the heart of it all. Everyone was excited to see how this new-look Lakers team would perform, and Davis was seen as the key to unlocking their full potential. The idea was simple: keep AD healthy, and championships would follow. The anticipation was palpable, and fans were eager to witness Davis reaching his peak and solidifying his place among the NBA's elite. The narrative was set, and the stage was ready for what everyone hoped would be a historic season for both Davis and the Lakers.

The Reality Check: Injuries and Inconsistency

Unfortunately, the season didn't quite pan out as planned. Injuries, the bane of Davis's career, reared their ugly head once again. He played in only 40 games, a far cry from the consistent presence the Lakers desperately needed. When he was on the court, his performance was often inconsistent, flashing brilliance one night and disappearing the next. His scoring average dipped slightly compared to previous seasons, and his defensive impact, while still noticeable, wasn't the game-changing force it once was. The Lakers' overall struggles further amplified the disappointment surrounding Davis's season. The team's chemistry issues and inability to consistently win games put a spotlight on the underperformance of their key players, including AD. There were moments of brilliance, of course – games where he looked like the dominant player everyone knew he could be. But these moments were too few and far between to salvage the season. The constant cycle of injuries and recovery seemed to take a toll on Davis's rhythm and confidence. He struggled to find a consistent groove, and his impact on both ends of the court was significantly diminished. The Lakers' coaching staff tried various strategies to maximize his effectiveness, but nothing seemed to truly click. The team's struggles were often attributed to the lack of continuity and the inability of the star players to mesh effectively. The high expectations that surrounded Davis and the Lakers at the beginning of the season quickly faded, replaced by frustration and disappointment. The dream of a championship run turned into a nightmare of injuries, inconsistency, and missed opportunities. The reality was a stark contrast to the pre-season hype, leaving fans and analysts questioning the future of the Lakers and Davis's ability to lead them back to contention.

Statistical Breakdown: A Closer Look

Let's crunch the numbers. In those 40 games, Davis averaged 23.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game. Solid stats, no doubt, but not quite the superstar numbers expected of him. His field goal percentage was a respectable 53.2%, but his three-point shooting remained a glaring weakness at just 18.6%. These numbers, while decent, don't tell the whole story. They don't capture the games he missed due to injury, the inconsistency in his performance, or the overall impact (or lack thereof) on the Lakers' win-loss record. When comparing these stats to his previous seasons, it's clear that his scoring and rebounding numbers were down. While the assists and blocks remained relatively consistent, the lack of improvement in his three-point shooting was a major concern. The Lakers needed him to be a reliable outside shooter to space the floor and create driving lanes for LeBron and Westbrook. His inability to consistently knock down shots from beyond the arc made it easier for opposing defenses to pack the paint and limit the Lakers' offensive options. Furthermore, his defensive impact wasn't as dominant as in previous years. While he still recorded a decent number of blocks, his overall defensive presence and ability to deter opponents from attacking the basket seemed to be diminished. This could be attributed to a combination of factors, including the injuries, the lack of consistent playing time, and the overall struggles of the Lakers' defensive scheme. The statistical breakdown provides a quantitative perspective on Davis's performance, highlighting both his strengths and weaknesses. While the numbers aren't necessarily terrible, they fall short of the expectations set for a player of his caliber. They also underscore the need for him to improve his shooting and maintain a more consistent defensive presence to truly elevate his game and lead the Lakers to success.

The Westbrook Experiment: A Failed Partnership?

The arrival of Russell Westbrook was supposed to alleviate some of the pressure on Davis and LeBron. The idea was to have another ball-handler and playmaker who could create opportunities for everyone. However, the Westbrook experiment turned out to be a disaster. His fit with Davis was awkward, to say the least. Their playing styles clashed, and they struggled to find a rhythm together on the court. Westbrook's tendency to dominate the ball often left Davis standing on the perimeter, waiting for opportunities that rarely came. The lack of spacing and the absence of a consistent offensive system further exacerbated the issues. Davis and Westbrook never seemed to develop the kind of chemistry that was necessary for them to thrive as a duo. Their inability to complement each other's strengths and compensate for each other's weaknesses contributed to the Lakers' overall struggles. The experiment with Westbrook was a major gamble that simply didn't pay off. It not only failed to improve the team's performance but also seemed to hinder the individual effectiveness of players like Davis. The Lakers' front office had hoped that Westbrook's energy and playmaking abilities would unlock a new level of offensive firepower, but instead, it created a logjam and disrupted the team's flow. The failed partnership between Davis and Westbrook was one of the key factors that led to the Lakers' disappointing season. It highlighted the importance of chemistry and fit when building a successful team, and it served as a cautionary tale about the risks of trying to force together star players who don't naturally complement each other.

Missed Opportunities and What Could Have Been

It's hard not to wonder what could have been if Davis had stayed healthy. A healthy AD is a game-changer, a force that can single-handedly alter the outcome of games. If he had been able to play a full season, the Lakers' trajectory might have been drastically different. Perhaps they would have avoided the play-in tournament, secured a better seed in the playoffs, and made a deeper run. However,