Anthony Davis: “Money Comes and Goes; Your Legacy is Forever”

For the first time since he got to LA, Anthony Davis spoke for one media. AD’s trade to California and all the things which surrounded that move made it look more like a soap opera than sports.

Tampering, fines, limited minutes, Pelicans decision to decline Lakers’ offers, all this just added more pressure and publicity on the whole matter.

But eventually, the Eyebrow got what he wanted. The Lakers got what they wanted.

“I just want to play again,” Davis said in his interview for the LA Times. “I was limited last season, and now I’m looking forward to getting back on the floor and being productive next year.”

The fans meanwhile are not expecting from him just to play. The purple and gold army wants the title, and they want to see Davis leading the Lakers. After several years of suffering huge setbacks and going through a lot of adversities, this franchise craves for some success.

According to Davis, he wants the same.

“My goal is to win a championship,” Davis said. “I expect to win every time I step on the court, every game. I want to win a title. That’s what it’s about — winning titles. That’s the only thing on my mind.”

It is easy to understand him. One of the most dominant players of today didn’t get the proper chance with the Pelicans, and his time and talent were spent poorly in Louisiana. The management of the franchise couldn’t build a respectable team around him, which is why he eventually decided to leave.

When asked does he expects for another big name to land at Staples Center and become his teammate, Davis stressed that his focus is not on the free agency, but instead of getting ready for the season.

“I don’t really get into it,” Davis said. “That’s for the media and the fans to capture. I just want to focus on basketball.”

After all, in 7 seasons with the Pelicans, he never enjoyed a noticeable run in the playoffs. His individual achievements and honors couldn’t replace that. And to be fair, he did receive a lot of them.

The first picks in the 2012 NBA draft earned 6 All-Star invitations; was elected five times in the All-NBA team, and three more times in the All-NBA defensive team.

All that in the mediocre team. No offense Pelicans’ fans, but that is the reality. During his stay there, he didn’t have any help.

Davis willingly agreed to give up on his $4 million trade bonus, to help the Lakers in forming the respectable crew. Along with LeBron, Kuzma, and the rest of the team, the franchise is in a position to add another superstar or to spread that one max-slot on several players.

Anthony Davis on waiving his trade kicker. (via @ArashMarkazi, @latimes) pic.twitter.com/U1Ntbu6NeY

— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) July 1, 2019

The reason for his decision is simple — the title.

“Money comes and goes; your legacy is forever,” Davis explained. He wants the title. If he takes at least one ring, then all his individual achievements would have valorization. If not, he will be remembered as an excellent player, but without the most significant honor in basketball.

The Eyebrow is perfectly aware that money can’t buy some things. He can’t make you immortal, but there are things that can.

“Anthony Davis is not going to be a great basketball player because of the amount of money he makes, it’s going to be about what he achieved on the court and also off the court.”

The Lakers now have a bit narrower space for maneuver after the first day of the free agency. A lot of their targets have gained themselves fat contracts. The only big superstar left is Kawhi Leonard. And their time is running out.

But, even without him, and with fired-up AD, LAL is the No.1 favorite to win the title.