‘He’s the face of (the team)’ Lakers star LeBron James talks about his thoughts on teammate Anthony Davis taking the helm for Lakers

LeBron James appears ready to pass the torch to teammate Anthony Davis to become the leader of the Los Angeles Lakers after a two-decade NBA career that has seen him win numerous trophies.

James expressed his thoughts on Anthony Davis during an interview at Lakers media day, saying the big man is the face of the team.

LeBron has always spoken highly of Davis, recently telling reporters:

He’s the face (of the team).

James said Monday at the Lakers’ annual media day.

You look at all these (retired) numbers around this facility, all the great guys that have come here, AD is one of them.

James and Davis’ contracts are valid at the same time, and both players have the option to stay in Los Angeles through the 2024-25 season in the final years of their contracts.

Davis pushed his timetable behind James in August and signed a three-year, $186 million max contract extension that will keep him with the Purple and Gold through 2028.

At an average of $62 million per season, this is the most lucrative annual contract extension in league history.

I’m very, very happy and very proud.

James said when asked about the Davis trade.

It’s great to see him get an extension and be a part of his team year in and year out. It’s been a pleasure playing with him so far and I hope we can do some great things.

Almost as soon as the four-time MVP joined the Lakers, James publicly lobbied the Lakers to acquire Davis.

The Lakers acquired Davis in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, and the two fit perfectly in their first season since then.

In 2020, they capped off their first season with a championship inside the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida. Los Angeles then lost in the first round in 2021 and failed to qualify for the 2022 playoffs due to injuries to Davis and others.

This spring, Davis and the Lakers rebounded and reached the Western Conference Finals, with the eight-time All-Star setting career highs in field goal percentage (56.3) and rebounds (12.5) while averaging 25.9 per game. points and 2.0 blocks. game.

When a reporter asked if his new contract made him feel like this was his team now, Davis responded:

I think it’s the Lakers, I play for the Lakers.

Davis is important to the team, whether or not he holds the unofficial title of being the face of the franchise.

I think I’m going to be the second most popular person here now, so people read my posts more often,

Davis, 30, said.

I feel like it’s my responsibility to be one of the leaders on the team with LeBron. My job is to help those guys, help the young guys and keep supporting them.

Let them know what we need and what we need to get better and give them advice so that we can come together and be able to compete for championships.

Davis missed 26 games last season due to a foot injury.he said his

feeling good in body

Entering training camp, he still maintains his goal from last season, which was to stay on the field as much as possible.

My goal every year is to play 82 games,

Davis said.

I’m not doing anything different (this summer). I took some time off. Back in the lab, I was ready to get started. Nothing has changed.

Every year you want to perform well in every game and give your team a chance to win. Especially with my role, I know it’s a big part of this team and having me out there, it definitely helps us.

It’s no secret that LeBron James always thought Anthony Davis would one day take over the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers offered Davis a three-year, $186 million contract extension that begins with the upcoming 2025-26 season.

By then, James may have retired, considering his contract expires after the 2024-25 season.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis have arguably been the Los Angeles Lakers’ one-two punch since the days of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets proved to be a valuable matchup for Los Angeles last season, but were sent home after being swept in the series.

As embarrassing as their exit may have been, they did an amazing job.

The Lakers are fully invested in young players to help them pursue another championship.

With a team like this, it should be relatively easy for LeBron James and Anthony Davis to lead their teams to victory.