Anthony Davis is one of the most impressive performers for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics.
Davis currently leads that team in rebounding at 7.5 per game while also contributing 7.5 points, one steal, and one block per game. More importantly, he is the defensive anchor for the Americans each time he is on the floor.
AD's impressive showing hasn't just turned heads but also converted bashers to believers. Such is the case with Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd , who admitted to being a hater of the Lakers big center but is now convinced that he is the second-best big man in the NBA.
"I was so anti-AD when we started doing this podcast," said Cowherd. "I went like two years. I'm like it's a dad bod, he doesn't work out, he's out of shape, he never plays hurt. Take Jokic out, I'm not sure there's a big I'd take over him including Giannis. You cannot mistake Anthony Davis in a game. Dominant defender. He's gotten significantly more physical to me. I don't know what happened."
AD was always injured
Davis was the New Orleans Pelicans' No.1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Although he's always posted great numbers and has been a perennial All-Star, Anthony has also been perennially injured, and the injuries have prevented him from reaching his full potential.
The Lakers traded their entire farm to acquire Davis, who immediately helped LeBron James win the 2020 NBA title. Back then, LeBron said the Lakers were AD's team, but that has never materialized, with Anthony spending more time on the bench than on the court due to injuries. But after a strong 2023-24 season and his current Team USA performance, the Kentucky product is changing how people look at him.
"You cannot mistake Anthony Davis in a game," added Cowherd. "Dominant defender. He's gotten significantly more physical to me. I don't know what happened. This is the AD we thought we were getting out of college, and he just wasn't emotionally ready for it."
Related: "Besides, he wasn't on the team" - Scottie Pippen was upset with Michael Jordan for including his infamous playoff drama in 'The Last Dance'
Davis is coming off his healthiest NBA season
This past NBA season, AD had the healthiest year of his career, playing 76 regular-season games. Despite the Lakers getting booted out in the first round of the playoffs, Anthony grabbed a career-high 12.6 rebounds per game while also averaging 1.2 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. It was also his most decorated season since 2020.
Not only did Davis make the All-Star team for the first time since 2020-21, but he was also named to the All-Defensive first team and All-NBA second team. The former Wildcat also finished 4th in the Defensive Player of the Year balloting.
At only 31 years old, AD still has a lot of basketball to play in his NBA career—that is, if he continues to stay healthy. But with how tough he's looked in the Olympic games so far, it looks like Cowherd is going to stay on Davis' side for a long time. That's good news for the Lakers, too.
Related: "He's a very rare historical superstar" - Colin Cowherd shares his realization about Anthony Davis
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