Following a resilient comeback by Lakers’ power forward Anthony Davis, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham emphasized the star’s strong sense of self-critique and dedication to improvement.
Davis, who faced scrutiny after a lackluster performance against the Nuggets, showcased his resilience and determination in the subsequent game, delivering an impressive 30-point, 12-rebound performance against the Suns.
Ham, addressing Davis’ response to external pressures and expectations, highlighted the forward’s deep-seated commitment to his craft, citing his relentless pursuit of greatness and unwavering focus on self-improvement as key attributes that drive his performance on and off the court.
“I just think, again, seeing his care factor, the type of spirit he has day in and day out and knowing that he’s his own biggest critic,” Ham said during postgame press conference.
“He takes a lot of pride in the way he performs. At the end of the day, whether he hears the outside noise or not, he knows we have all faith in the world in him. That’s not gonna change.”
Despite outside criticisms and the heightened scrutiny surrounding Davis, the coach reiterated the Lakers’ unwavering faith and confidence in Davis’ abilities.
“Just going to keep encouraging him and pushing him to be great and he’s going to push himself to be great. It’s just one of those things where people just, it’s the first game of the season, I know all eyes are on that, different things were said in the summer, whatever. None of that matters,” Ham continued.
Underscoring Davis’ intrinsic value to the Lakers’ lineup, Ham emphasized the importance of nurturing Davis’ talents and ensuring his continued growth and development.
“The kid is a beautiful kid, he’s a beautiful human being and highly, highly skilled and talented, one of the top players in our league,” he said.
“We’re gonna put that hedge around him and love on him and make he sure he understands how important he is to our group and encourage him to be aggressive and assertive.”
