How Anthony Davis Became an Elite NBA Player Through His Defensive Mastery
I remember watching Anthony Davis during his rookie season, thinking this lanky kid from Kentucky had potential but needed to find his niche in the NBA. Fast forward to last Tuesday night, I was courtside at Crypto.com Arena watching him completely dismantle the opposing offense, and it hit me—this is exactly what championship-level defense looks like. The way he moved across the court reminded me of that old basketball wisdom from my college days: "The first two games should be a good gauge on how serious University of Santo Tomas' title aspirations are." Well, watching Davis these past seasons, you don't need just two games to understand his defensive mastery—you need about two possessions.
I've been covering the NBA for twelve years now, and I've never seen a defender quite like Davis. Standing at 6'10" with a 7'6" wingspan, his physical tools are almost unfair. But what truly makes him elite is how he processes the game. During that Lakers game last week, I watched him switch onto a guard, stay in front of him like he was glued to the floor, then recover to block the center's shot attempt—all in one possession. The crowd erupted, but Davis just jogged back like it was another day at the office. That's when it clicked for me how Anthony Davis became an elite NBA player through his defensive mastery. He makes the extraordinary look routine.
The numbers back this up too—last season he averaged 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while anchoring the league's third-best defense. But statistics don't capture the full picture. What makes Davis special is his defensive IQ. He's like a chess master three moves ahead of everyone else. I remember talking to his former coach Alvin Gentry, who told me Davis spends hours studying opponents' tendencies. That preparation shows when he perfectly times his help defense or anticipates a pass for a steal. It's this combination of physical gifts and mental preparation that separates him from other great defenders.
There's a reason why championship teams are built around defensive anchors, and Davis embodies that principle. When the Lakers won the championship in 2020, it was Davis' ability to protect the rim and switch onto perimeter players that made their defense nearly impenetrable. I've always believed that defense wins championships, and Davis is living proof. His impact goes beyond traditional stats—he alters entire offensive schemes just by being on the court. Opposing coaches literally design their game plans around avoiding him, and even then, he finds ways to disrupt their rhythm.
What fascinates me most is how Davis has evolved defensively. Early in his career, he relied more on athleticism, but now he's developed this incredible spatial awareness. He knows exactly when to leave his man to provide help defense and when to stay home. During last night's game against the Warriors, I counted at least four possessions where his mere presence near the paint made drivers reconsider their attacks. That's the kind of respect he commands—players would rather pass up a decent look than challenge Davis at the rim.
Looking back at that University of Santo Tomas principle about judging title aspirations, Davis represents the ultimate litmus test for championship contention. Any team with him automatically becomes a defensive powerhouse. As I write this, I'm watching highlights from last season's playoffs where he held opponents to 38% shooting when he was the primary defender. Those aren't just good numbers—they're historically great. And honestly, in my opinion, he's still somehow underrated defensively. People get caught up in offensive highlights, but watching Davis orchestrate a defense is like watching a master painter create a masterpiece. Every movement, every rotation, every contest—it's all part of his defensive artistry that has cemented his status as one of the NBA's truly elite players.
