Lakers News: Anthony Davis Speaks Out About Postseason Critics
After leading his Los Angeles Lakers to a 127-97 Game 3 victory over the Golden State Warriors with a 25-point, 13-rebound performance, Anthony Davis spoke about how he handles outside postseason pressure to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report.
"Hell nah, I'm not on social media and it's been that way for about four months," Davis told Haynes at his locker postgame. "I don't know what anybody is saying. Most times it's just clickbait to draw ratings. I don't give that s--- any attention."
"I've got three kids and a wife I want to keep happy. I don't need any other stress," Davis said. "You obviously want to compete at the highest level and perform to your best, but s---, it doesn't go that way sometimes.
"I don't know what was said, and I don't care. I got 15 motherf---ers in this locker room and a coaching staff that I listen to. Outside of them, it's my strong support system. They're the only voices I let in."
Technically, there are 17 Lakers players, including two-way signings Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cole Swider, although because they weren't signed to LA's 15-man standard roster ahead of the postseason, they are ineligible to suit up for any playoff games.
"It's not like I say, 'Well, you know what, I'm going to take the night off. I'm not going to go hard tonight. I'm not going to make shots.' It's not like that," Davis continued. "People always want to tell you what to do, but I shot 10 times in Game 2 and I shot 11 times tonight.
He has the field goal output reversed, but the point is made: he didn't take many more official shots in either contest. Davis actually "only" took 10 shots last night, making seven, but he got to the free throw line 12 times, making 11. The real difference is that he only went to the charity stripe once on Thursday, and went 5-of-11 from the field in that loss.
"When that negative stuff starts to circulate, I go into my own little world and remind myself of who I am and what I can do and why people are criticizing me. You're criticized for a reason. It's because of who you are or who they know you can be. Every single time before a game, I remind myself of who I am and I go compete."
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