Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers appeared on The Bill Simmons Podcast, which aired after the U.S. men's basketball team captured Olympic gold in Paris.
Doc and Bill discussed many topics involving the team members, and one of the players they mentioned was Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis , who was clearly Team USA's best defensive player and one o f its unsung heroes.
While talking about AD, Rivers told Simmons that he noticed something different in the nine-time NBA All-Star.
"Something's happened Bill," said Rivers. "And I'm not sure what it is but over the last year and a half, he plays more games, he's playing big games, he's healthy."
AD doesn't look fragile anymore
Simmons agreed with Rivers' observation. Bill said that the knack on Anthony has always been that he gets somewhat hurt at the slightest touch. But after coming off the healthiest season of his NBA career, Davis is starting to change the narrative around him.
These days, the KU product no longer looks fragile. He has become a defensive monster and is consistently engaged as a rebounder and shot-blocker. Rivers then complimented Simmons' statement by referencing AD's performance in the Paris Olympics gold medal game.
"Today, he didn't get the ball once," added Doc. "He just got the ball when someone missed. He had four of the six blocked shots. He's been fantastic. That's what he does. He's become the dominant Anthony Davis again."
Related: "You could just feel it, the lack of respect" - Alonzo Mourning on the tense environment in the gold medal game against France in the 2000 Olympics
Doc says the Lakers have 'something'
While Stephen Curry stole the show in the gold medal game, AD was a difference-maker for the Americans. The Brow pulled down nine rebounds, including six offensive boards, while blocking four shots. Although he managed just 8 points in the game, Anthony's player efficiency rating of 21 ranked only behind LeBron and Steph.
For the tournament, Davis' cumulative efficiency rating of 101 was second on the team after LeBron's 141. The Lakers' dynamic duo were the only two players on Team USA to have an efficiency of above 100 during the Olympic tournament.
Rivers concluded the Davis discussion by declaring that LeBron and AD are among the Top 10 players in the league right now. As such, he thinks the Lakers have 'something' despite their inability to land any of the summer's top free agents. Well, the Purple and Gold faithful hope that Doc is right on this one.
Related: "He just changes the game" - Paul Pierce on why Anthony Davis is "the most important player" for Team USA
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