“I got cheated” – Anthony Davis FIRES WARNING to the league, suggests Giannis Antetokounmpo stole his prize

The big man feels he has been overlooked for the DPOY award several times.

“I got cheated” – Anthony Davis FIRES WARNING to the league, suggests Giannis Antetokounmpo stole his prize

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis (Credits: Bleacher Report)

Anthony Davis, when healthy, is one of the premier players in the league. While he is a problem on the offensive end, defensively he is a force to be reckoned as well. Despite his formidable presence in the paint and his thunderous blocks, Davis has yet to claim the title of Defensive Player of the Year in his illustrious career.

Since stepping foot in the league in 2012 as the first overall pick, he has made the NBA All-Defensive team four times in his 12 years as a professional. However, he has never managed to secure an individual defensive award, a fact that continues to perplex him.

YouTube video

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Davis expressed his belief that he had been unfairly overlooked for several defensive awards. Nevertheless, he emphasized that ultimately, his primary goal remains winning an NBA championship.

FS Video

“If I do what I’m supposed to do, of course, I feel like I got cheated out a couple defensive awards,” Davis said. “If I do what I’m supposed to do, play how I’m supposed to play, those stuff will come. At the end of the day the goal is to win championships.”

While Davis hasn’t been able to get his hands on a DPOY title, his defensive acumen cannot be questioned. He’s led the NBA in blocks three times and has averaged over two blocks per game in nine seasons. Additionally, he’s proven his ability to defend various positions, not just big men.

Despite his defensive excellence, Davis has seen other players like Rudy Gobert, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jaren Jackson Jr. claim the Defensive Player of the Year award in recent seasons.

Also Read: Giannis Antetokounmpo gives STUNNING two-word answer when asked how to stop LeBron James

Injuries have riddled Anthony Davis’ career these past seasons

Since Anthony Davis joined the Los Angeles Lakers, injuries have been a significant obstacle in his quest for the DPOY title. Unfortunately, he has struggled to stay on the court, managing to play in over 56 games only once since his arrival in Los Angeles.

Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis (NY Post)

In the 2020-21 season, Davis managed to play 61 games and played a pivotal role alongside LeBron James in leading the Lakers to an NBA championship.

However, injuries have plagued Davis in the other seasons, keeping him sidelined on multiple occasions. There’s no doubt that he remains a top contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award. If he can showcase his defensive prowess and maintain his health on the revamped Lakers’ roster, the coveted award might well be within his reach.

In Case You Missed: