Anthony Davis Says Team Wins More Important Than MVP Award

Anthony Davis says he cares more about winning a championship than an MVP award. This is because he believes team success is more important than individual prizes.
By Newsroom | Basketball, NBA |

Anthony Davis, a prominent player for the Los Angeles Lakers, has consistently expressed a strong focus on achieving team championships, often downplaying the significance of individual awards like the Most Valuable Player (MVP). While reports indicate strong MVP consideration for Davis, his public statements suggest a pragmatic approach, emphasizing that team victories hold greater importance than personal recognition, especially when individual awards are subject to voting.

‘Win something they can’t vote on’: Davis turns MVP pain into finals fire - 1

"I think a lot of times when players focus on winning an individual award, they get lost in that and not focusing on team basketball." - Anthony Davis

Davis's statements suggest a deliberate strategy to channel any disappointment from close MVP races into motivation for team-oriented goals. This approach aligns with his stated ambition to win another championship, a goal he shares with teammate LeBron James. The Lakers' current performance and Davis's individual contributions have fueled considerable MVP discussion.

‘Win something they can’t vote on’: Davis turns MVP pain into finals fire - 2

MVP Conversations and Player Focus

The narrative surrounding Anthony Davis's season has been significantly shaped by discussions of his MVP candidacy. Despite being a perennial contender, Davis's public stance remains consistent: team success is paramount.

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‘Win something they can’t vote on’: Davis turns MVP pain into finals fire - 3

  • In the NBL (National Basketball League), Kendric Davis narrowly missed the MVP award, finishing with 94 votes compared to Bryce Cotton's 96. Kendric Davis reportedly views this as motivation for championship pursuits, stating, "Like, we’re going to get past that today and get ready to prepare for a championship.”

  • For the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis has been a key performer. Reports from December 2024 highlight his focus on team basketball over individual awards, with Davis noting that focusing on personal accolades can lead players astray from collective objectives.

  • Davis has previously finished in various MVP voting positions, including fifth, ninth, third, and sixth over his career.

  • His current season performance has been described as "MVP-caliber," with increased scoring output and strong defensive metrics, including holding opponents to a minus-6.5 percent field goal percentage differential on shots he defends and ranking in the league's top ten for contested shots.

A History of MVP Consideration

Anthony Davis has been a subject of MVP discussions throughout his NBA career, demonstrating consistent high-level play that warrants consideration for the league's highest individual honor.

‘Win something they can’t vote on’: Davis turns MVP pain into finals fire - 4

  • In the 2018 NBA MVP Ladder, Davis was noted for his increased physicality and willingness to engage in more battles, showcasing his "MVP mettle."

  • During the 2020 NBA Finals, discussions arose about whether LeBron James or Anthony Davis would be the more deserving candidate for the Finals MVP award, indicating his impact in high-stakes games.

  • More recently, in November 2024, Davis's "two-way dominance" was highlighted, positioning him as an early MVP contender due to his offensive efficiency and strong defensive impact.

The Nuance of "Winning Something They Can't Vote On"

The phrase "Win something they can't vote on" appears to encapsulate Davis's perspective on the distinction between individual awards and championships.

  • The MVP award, by its nature, involves a voting process, leaving room for subjective interpretation and potential biases.

  • A championship, conversely, is a tangible outcome determined by on-court performance and team success over a season and playoffs. It is a collective achievement that, according to Davis's sentiment, transcends the uncertainties of individual voting.

  • His comments after a close MVP race in the NBL, where he stated, "You know, that’s how I look at it… It was nothing more I can do,” suggest an acceptance of the voting outcome while simultaneously pivoting to a more concrete objective.

Championship Aspirations and Team Cohesion

Davis's consistent articulation of prioritizing championships is strongly linked to his role within the Lakers and his relationship with teammates like LeBron James.

  • Davis and LeBron James share a common goal of winning another championship for the Lakers. This alignment in objectives is presented as a significant driving force for both players.

  • The Lakers' current team dynamic is described as more cohesive than in previous seasons, with Davis's stellar performance cited as a major contributing factor.

  • With LeBron James entering his 22nd NBA season, Davis's importance to the Lakers' offense and overall success is emphasized, particularly as James cannot shoulder the entire load alone.

Conclusion: A Strategic Approach to Individual vs. Team Goals

The available information indicates that Anthony Davis, while acknowledging his individual achievements and the MVP conversations surrounding him, deliberately prioritizes team championships. His public statements, particularly the recurring theme of "winning something they can't vote on," underscore a strategic mindset aimed at maximizing team success. This approach appears to serve as a motivational tool, channeling any perceived slights from individual award voting into a more focused pursuit of collective victories. The Lakers' strong season and internal cohesion suggest that this focus on team goals is yielding positive results on the court.

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Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Anthony Davis say team wins are more important than MVP awards?
Anthony Davis believes that focusing on individual awards can distract players from team goals. He feels that winning a championship is a more important and concrete achievement that is not decided by voting.
Q: What did Anthony Davis say about MVP considerations for the Lakers?
Anthony Davis has been performing at a high level, leading to MVP discussions. However, he has consistently stated that his main goal is to help the Lakers win games and championships, not to win individual awards.
Q: How does Anthony Davis use MVP talk as motivation?
Davis's focus on team success suggests he uses any disappointment from not winning individual awards as motivation to perform better for his team. He aims to win a championship, which he sees as the ultimate prize.
Q: What is Anthony Davis's goal with LeBron James for the Lakers?
Anthony Davis and LeBron James share the goal of winning another championship together for the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis's strong play is seen as crucial for the team's success, especially as LeBron James enters his later seasons.
Q: What does Anthony Davis mean by 'winning something they can't vote on'?
This phrase refers to winning a championship. Davis believes a championship is a true measure of success because it is won through on-court performance as a team, unlike individual awards like MVP which are decided by voters.