Anthony Davis, a star for the Los Angeles Lakers, controlled the paint against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night. Along with scoring 20 points, the big man grabbed 14 boards, blocked six shots, and changed many others. The Lakers won by 14 points.

Davis once again showed why he is one of the best defensive big men in the NBA with another great showing in both areas. He has the fourth most rebounds and the fifth most blocks in the NBA right now. He is also one of only three players who average at least two blocks and one steal per game.

The Lakers’ big man should be one of the favourites to win the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award based on these numbers, but it doesn’t look like that will happen. Davis wants to win that award, but he has already thought about it a few times and is no longer focused on it. 

Once I thought I should have won it, but I didn’t,” Davis said after the Lakers’ win. “Right now, all I want to do is win games.” Keep being a force on defence, and if winning it this year looks like it’s in the cards for me, then it will be great to have one under my belt. But I think I was cheated out of a few of them throughout my work. That’s the way it is.”

That was one of those years for Davis with the Lakers in 2020. He probably should have won the award, but Giannis Antetokounmpo did. Davis had the last laugh that year, though, because the Lakers won the NBA title. 
Right now, Davis cares more about his team and helping the Lakers win. He is very important to that as a defender. One of his best plays against the Pistons was a great block on Jaden Ivey during a 3-on-1 fast break for the Pistons. Davis explained what happened in that play.

“Because I saw Duren on the other side, I thought they would try to throw the lob.” Davis said, “I was just pretending to fade and bait him.” “After seeing him give in to the layup, I knew I could get the block.” This is just one of many unique plays I’ve had this year. I’m just trying to play defence well. That’s it.” 

Los Angeles’s defence depends a lot on Davis’s play on that end of the court, and for the most part, Davis has lived up to the expectation. Whether he wins the award or not, Davis is without a doubt one of the best defenders in the NBA.