Anthony Davis' 2021-22 Season: A Deep Dive

What's up, hoops fans! Today, we're going to break down one of the most talked-about NBA seasons in recent memory: Anthony Davis' 2021-22 campaign. This was a year filled with ups and downs, injuries, and questions surrounding AD's impact on the Los Angeles Lakers. Guys, let's be real, when you have a talent like Anthony Davis, expectations are sky-high. He's a defensive force, a dominant scorer, and has the potential to be one of the greatest players ever. But for the 2021-22 season, things just didn't quite click the way many hoped. We saw flashes of brilliance, absolutely, but also periods where he seemed to be fighting against his own body and the team's overall struggles. This article is going to dive deep into the numbers, the narrative, and what it all means for AD and the Lakers moving forward. We'll look at his statistical output, analyze the impact of injuries, and consider the overall context of the Lakers' disappointing season. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and let's get into it!

The Injury Bug Bites Hard

Let's talk about the elephant in the room, guys: injuries. Anthony Davis' 2021-22 season was heavily defined by his inability to stay on the court consistently. We all know AD has had a history of dealing with various ailments throughout his career, and this season was no different. From ankle sprains to knee issues and eventually a mid-season foot injury that sidelined him for a significant chunk of time, it felt like every time he started to find a rhythm, something would pop up. This constant battle with injuries not only affected his personal performance but also had a ripple effect on the entire Lakers team. When your second-best player, arguably, is in and out of the lineup, it's incredibly difficult to build consistent chemistry, implement defensive schemes, and rely on a core offensive identity. The Lakers were constantly trying to figure out lineups and rotations, trying to compensate for his absence. It's tough to watch a player of his caliber struggle with his health, and it inevitably impacts the confidence and flow of the team. We saw moments where he looked like his dominant self, swatting shots and scoring in bunches, but these were often punctuated by periods of absence. The narrative around AD often gets tied to his availability, and the 2021-22 season certainly did little to dispel those concerns. The physical toll of a long NBA season is immense, and for a player with his high-usage style, particularly on the defensive end where he expends so much energy, staying healthy is a monumental task. It's a complex issue, and one that the Lakers and AD himself have had to grapple with extensively. The frustration for fans, players, and coaches alike must have been palpable, watching a potentially championship-contending team derailed by the persistent presence of the injury report.

Statistical Performance Under the Microscope

When we look at the numbers for Anthony Davis' 2021-22 season, they paint a mixed picture, guys. On a per-game basis, his scoring (23.2 PPG) and rebounding (10.1 RPG) numbers look pretty solid, and his efficiency from the field (53.3% FG%) remained impressive. He was still capable of putting up big scoring nights and dominating on the glass when he was healthy. However, the real story lies in the limited games played (just 40 regular-season games) and the reduced minutes per game (33.1 MPG) compared to previous seasons. This wasn't the all-action, consistently dominant AD we'd seen in flashes before. His defensive impact, while still evident in advanced metrics when he played, was also hampered by the team's overall struggles and his own physical limitations. Think about it: when you're not getting consistent practice time or playing back-to-back games, your defensive timing and intensity can dip. We saw his blocks per game (2.3 BPG) and steals per game (1.2 SPG) were still respectable, but the eye test often suggested a player not operating at 100%. The advanced stats also tell a story of inconsistency. While his Player Efficiency Rating (PER) was still above average, it was a dip from his career highs. His Win Shares and Box Plus/Minus also reflected the impact of his missed time and fluctuating performance levels. It's easy to get lost in the box score, but for AD, his value extends far beyond just points and rebounds. His ability to anchor a defense, switch onto guards, and deter shots is elite. When those elements are compromised due to health, the entire team suffers. So, while the raw scoring and rebounding numbers might look okay on the surface, a deeper statistical dive reveals a season where Anthony Davis, unfortunately, couldn't consistently showcase his full, game-changing potential due to the persistent specter of injuries and the subsequent impact on his playing time and overall conditioning. It’s a statistical anomaly that highlights the crucial role of availability in a player’s true impact on a team's success.

The Lakers' Rollercoaster Ride

Let's talk about the broader picture, guys: the Los Angeles Lakers' 2021-22 season. It was, to put it mildly, a complete dumpster fire. And while Anthony Davis' struggles were a part of that narrative, it's important to remember he was just one piece of a much larger puzzle that didn't fit. The team was built around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with the addition of Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster trade. The hope was that this