From Savior to Scapegoat: The Tragic Underrating of Anthony Davis, One of the NBA’s Greatest Talents
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Anthony Davis’ NBA journey has been defined as much by circumstances beyond his control as it has by his undeniable talent. Now 32, he remains one of the most gifted big men of his generation—an elite defender, versatile scorer, and championship-caliber player. Yet, despite his accolades, Davis may ultimately be remembered less for what he achieved and more for what others around him failed to do.
His recent trade, viewed as one of the worst in NBA history, saw him sent to Dallas in a deal that cost the Mavericks Luka Dončić. That’s not Davis’ fault, yet the legacy of that move may follow him forever. Mavericks fans may never see him as anything more than the player they received instead of the superstar they gave away. His impressive 40-point performance in a season-ending loss to Memphis will likely be remembered as a footnote to a disappointing half-season that began with his arrival.
This has been a recurring theme throughout Davis’ career. When he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2012, he was expected to be the savior of the New Orleans Pelicans, replacing franchise cornerstone Chris Paul. But poor front-office decisions—many by then-GM Dell Demps—left Davis without a stable supporting cast. The Pelicans misused cap space, wasted draft picks, and never gave him a real chance to contend.
His move to the Lakers finally earned him a title in 2020, but even that came with caveats. Critics still label it a “bubble championship,” and he never got the parade or fanfare most champions enjoy. He likely would’ve won Defensive Player of the Year if the pandemic hadn’t interrupted the season.
Despite it all, Davis has continued to deliver elite performances. He may not be Luka Dončić, but few in NBA history are. If there’s any justice in basketball, Davis will eventually be remembered not for who he was traded for, but for the incredible player he truly is.
