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. 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.
The post Austin Reaves and Lakers Nation React to Anthony Davis’ Heartfelt Message as He Breaks Silence Following Blockbuster Trade appeared first on EssentiallySports.