The New Orleans Pelicans gave Anthony Davis the trade destination he wanted, yet he continued his heel turn during his first Los Angeles Lakers press conference.
Anthony Davis wanted to leave the New Orleans Pelicans well before he issued a trade demand. In retrospect, he likely never really wanted to be here. That much was obvious from the first question. Davis first words at his initial Lakers press conference were:
"“The most difficult part of the process was not knowing the unknown…when it was announced that I was being traded, I wouldn’t say it was a sigh of relief, but it was something I’d thought about for a long time.”"
Sure, lots of kids dream of being Lakers even those born in Chicago. Chicago never had a global star who captivated kids’ imaginations.
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Is it more likely is Davis just wanted to pair with Lebron, where ever that might have been? Signing with Klutch Sports before the season was the biggest signal yet that Davis was not long for New Orleans.
He could have quit commenting once he left the arena wearing a cartoon shirt, or once the trade was complete. Instead, Davis continued taking shots at the Pelicans during his Los Angeles Lakers introductory press conference.
The most damaging quote from Davis concerned Lakers fans in New Orleans. Davis was asked about the Lakers fan base and Los Angeles in general. He decided to take a dig at New Orleans. Davis said:
"“I know when the trade first happened, the put a mural of me up. That was pretty cool. Any time the Lakers came to New Orleans, there were some New Orleans fans, but it was all Lakers.”"
When Davis was first drafted, those were Kobe fans. Last year they were LeBron James fans. New Orleans cheers for the team. Celebrity basketball players just happen to wear Lakers jerseys a lot. Davis had his likeness on plenty of New Orleans artwork. He took to it like a kid with a rattle can.
Much like that kid caught with paint on his hands, Davis cannot play coy believably. When asked about his pending free agency, Davis replied:
"“When that time comes around next year, you can ask me that question, we can revisit it. Right now I’m focused on this year and how I can help this team and help the organization become a championship team.”"
He may not sign the max contract, but it is all but certain he will sign for the Lakers as long as Lebron is there. Davis believes that is in his best interest. Klutch has his best interest at heart. Just look at the decision to waive Davis’ $4 million trade kicker. Why was that done?
"“Obviously any time you’re able to acquire a player like Kawhi, then you got to do almost everything to get a guy like that. Obviously, it didn’t work out for us, but I still wanted to make sure I did whatever to help the team.”"
Oh, to help the team. In New Orleans that was Davis one true All-World skill, unless his finger was bruised. That Davis is easily bruised comes as no surprise to New Orleans Pelicans fans. Los Angeles Lakers fans’ first experience with a soft Anthony Davis came because of a canceled jersey number change.
The second came when discussing positional numbers. Davis wasted no time explaining to Frank Vogel his positional preferences. Davis said, “I like playing the 4. I’m not going to sugar coat it. I don’t like playing the 5.”
A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down Lakers fans. Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans soured on each other mutually this last season. Davis boasts he will put the Lakers roster up against anyone in the league. In a seven-game series, Davis thinks the Los Angeles Lakers will prevail.
New Orleans Pelicans fans would relish a playoff series against the Lakers like overzealous war battalions seek battles. The frenzy of a Lakers versus Pelicans series would eclipse the hype of Game 3 versus Portland.
Davis promised an Instagram post thanking the city for….something. No one in New Orleans is particularly broken up by the lack of appreciation being shown by Davis. The New Orleans Pelicans have moved on, and have a future brighter than the lights of Hollywood.