Anthony Davis says he’s ‘the best defensive player in the league,’ has given up on winning Defensive Player of the Year

Anthony Davis says he’s ‘the best defensive player in the league,’ has given up on winning Defensive Player of the Year

On Sunday, the NBA announced the finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) and, in a frustrating scene that has been seen all too often, Davis wasn’t recognized among the league’s defensive elite.

What was surprising, though, was AD’s reaction to yet another undeserved snub.

Speaking to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Davis let loose, calling himself the best defensive player in the league and noting he’s “done” with a quest for DPOY.

“I’ll never get it. They’re not giving it to me. The league doesn’t like me. I’m the best defensive player in the league. I can switch 1 through 5. I can guard the pick-and-roll the best in the league, from a big standpoint. I block shots. I rebound.

“I don’t know what else to do. I’m over it. I’m just going to do what I got to do to help the team win and try to play for a championship. Accolades and individual awards, I’m done with those.”

It’s rare for a superstar to be this candid about not being a finalist for an award. It’s even rarer for a player to say something as blunt as ‘I’m the best defensive player in the league’. Especially one like Davis, who is generally more on the quiet side.

Perhaps this recent snub is the straw that broke the camel’s back as Davis seems to mirror Lakers fans’ frustration with the lack of acknowledgment he receives for his defensive effort on a national scale.

Davis went on to make his case to McMenamin further, laying out his do-it-all ability on that end of the court.

“I can block shots, I can help from the weak side, I can switch onto anybody, I can guard the pick-and-roll, I can guard the guard and get back on the big and break up the lob, I can guard the post, I can guard the pindown. Whatever it is. Whatever it is defensively, I’m able to do.

“So, that’s my ability. My ability defensively is to do everything.”

While this season is another one in which Davis will not receive recognition from the league for his defensive efforts, everyone associated with the Lakers understands his impact.

This team’s defensive ceiling is built on Davis’ foundation. When he roams the paint like a shark in the water, he wreaks havoc, blocking shots and discouraging players from even setting foot in the paint in fear of his attack.

Davis may not be receiving awards for his defensive performances, but if he continues to play at this high a level, important wins are bound to follow. Ultimately, that matters more than individual success to Davis, as he also noted in talking to McMenamin, even if it’s frustrating that he isn’t getting the recognition those who watch him regularly know he deserves.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.