Klay Thompson had high praise for Anthony Davis during a recent appearance on Showtime With Michael Cooper. The Dallas Mavericks big man, he said, stands above the rest when healthy.
“AD, when he’s healthy, he is the best power forward, maybe of my generation,” Thompson said.
Davis, who was traded to Dallas in February in a blockbuster deal that sent Luka Doncic to Los Angeles, has built a career defined by elite two-way play. His combination of scoring, rebounding, and rim protection has made him one of the NBA’s most versatile frontcourt players.
The 13-year veteran has career averages of 24.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. He has also earned eight All-Star selections and helped the Lakers capture the 2020 NBA championship.
Since joining the Mavericks, Davis has already made his mark. In his debut on February 8, he posted 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists in a win over Houston. Despite an adductor injury that sidelined him for 18 games, he returned late in the season with multiple standout performances.
On April 2, Davis delivered a game-winning shot against Atlanta while finishing with 34 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks. A week later, he recorded a triple-double against Toronto that included 23 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and 7 blocks, becoming the first player in league history to post 20-10-10-5 in under 31 minutes.
Even with his strong individual numbers, Dallas missed the playoffs after falling to Memphis in the Play-In Tournament. Davis scored 40 points in the elimination game, underlining his ability to take over on the biggest stage.
Thompson’s comments highlight the respect Davis commands across the league. Despite injuries limiting his availability at times, his peak production has drawn comparisons to some of the greatest power forwards to ever play.
As the Mavericks prepare for the next season, Davis will remain a central figure in their plans alongside Kyrie Irving and DeMar DeRozan. For Thompson, who has faced Davis in multiple playoff series, the verdict is clear—when healthy, no other power forward of this generation measures up.
