All good things must come to an end. So did Anthony Davis‘ journey with the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis, the former Lakers superstar, has officially bid farewell to Los Angeles after six unforgettable seasons. Over the weekend, he was part of a blockbuster trade that sent shockwaves through the NBA. Davis, along with Max Christie, is heading to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the generational talent, Luka Doncic.
Davis meant a lot to the city, both on and off the court. He wasn’t just a dominant force in the game; he also gave back to the community in big ways. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he teamed up with Lineage to match up to $250,000 in donations for Feed the Frontlines LA. The initiative helped provide meals from local restaurants to hospital workers battling on the front lines.
As a Laker, Davis delivered night in and night out. In 313 games, he put up 24.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game. He shot 53.2% from the field and 28.2% from deep while logging 34.4 minutes a night. His impact was undeniable.
On Monday, Davis hopped on Instagram and shared this message with everyone:
“6 years ago, I came here with the vision to win a Championship, and I will never forget the moment we did! The business of basketball is a business just like all other businesses… I am grateful to the city where my first ring came from, grew my family and friendships and I will always have a home here. My family and I thank everyone who made this place home and we are still thinking of those that lost their homes in the fires.
“To my teammates: our friendships go beyond a locker room and a jersey… LA will always have a special place in my heart.
“Every great story has an exciting next chapter… Dallas- Here we come!”
The post received love from his teammates and fans alike. Fans got to express their love for AD who had been a cornerstone of the Lakers.
Austin Reaves calls him by his nickname, fans still remain in disbelief
Austin Reaves left a comment which read “Ooter!!”. The word “Ooter” has taken on a life of its own in the Lakers’ locker room. Anthony Davis came up with it as a quicker way to say “shooter.” After knocking down four threes in a preseason win over Phoenix, he started calling himself an “Ooter,” and the nickname stuck.
One fan summed up what many Lakers supporters were feeling: “It’s no way my dawg didn’t retire a Laker .” Bringing the Lakers a championship in 2020 and forming a dominant duo with LeBron James. Even through injuries and roster changes, AD remained the anchor of the team’s defense and a force in the paint. Davis gave the Lakers everything he had, and his impact went beyond just stats.
Another fan confidently declared, “Your number will be retired in LA. Thanks and good luck .”AD didn’t just put up big numbers in a Lakers jersey—he etched his name into franchise history.
The Lakers don’t hang just any number in the rafters; it’s a sacred honor reserved for those who left a lasting impact. And while Davis’ tenure ended earlier than expected, his contributions can’t be overlooked.
“Lakers without AD don’t feel right man.” wrote another fan. Think about it—since 2019, Davis has been the Lakers’ defensive enforcer, their go-to option alongside LeBron James. You’d see him suit up even if he was on the injury report. He’d play through the pain and the Lakers always felt like a different beast with AD on the floor.
This is a developing story…
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