Rajon Rondo Anthony Davis
Photo: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Davis played 11 minutes in his preseason debut with the Los Angeles Lakers. During the limited playing time that he got, the 28-year-old forward scored 6 points and grabbed 1 rebound. In spite of Davis not playing much, Lakers great Robert Horry saw promising signs in his game.

“I think you go by the eyeball test like I always say. I watched his movements, his movements looked good, his body looked good,” Horry said on Spectrum SportsNet. “A lot of times when you watch guy, you want to see how their breathing is. His breathing was good, didn’t look like he was tired. That means he came into this preseason in shape. So I’m excited to see what he looks like when we get the other big dogs because that’s the true test — is he allowed, is he able to play AD game with the new guy Russ.”

Horry was then asked about Davis’ role — is he still the key to everything — when all the players are available, especially stars LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. “He definitely is,” the seven-time NBA champion replied. “It’s so weird in this day and age a lot of people go around the league ‘Oh you need a guy who can shoot three’s, you need a guy who can do this.’ I think you need a guy like AD who can give you so much on both ends of the floor — defense, offense end.

“When you got a big that can’t come out, you shooting with the three. When you got a big who couldn’t guard you, you take him in the post. AD is so versatile that he should be able to do a little bit of everything and he is that key for us to be successful.”