Lakers News: League Executives Consider Anthony Davis Among Top Interior Defenders

In a recent survey collecting ranking-centric opinions from NBA general managers by the league office, Los Angeles Lakers superstar center Anthony Davis appeared multiple times, all in a positive light.

Specifically, when asked the question of "Who is the best interior defender in the NBA?," GMs ranked AD 4th, receiving 13% of the votes,

Davis trailed reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., who received a leading 30% of the votes, 3-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, who received 17% of the votes, and Milwaukee Bucks Center Brook Lopez, who also received 17% of the votes.

This ranking for Davis is arguably low, as he was terrific in the 2023 postseason. The Brow had a defensive rating of 101.9, which was good for first among eligible players (by a large margin), and averaged over 3 blocks per game, which also ranked first (by a large margin).

That said, his health issues may impact these rankings, as Jackson Jr., Lopez, and Gobert have been on the court more often than Davis has. Moreover, Davis spends more time in switch-heavy scenarios, where he's guarding smaller players/wings on the perimeter due to the Lakers' approach to pick-and-roll coverage.

Conversely, Jackson Jr., Gobert, and Lopez all tend to camp more around the basket, giving the impression to GMs and fans that they are better rim protectors.

Davis also appeared on the list when asked "Who is the best defensive player in the NBA," indicative of his prowess on that side of the ball even compared to guards and wings who excel on the perimeter.

Irrespective of AD's ranking relative to other big men in the league, it's indisputable that he's one of the top defensive players in the league, and is the anchor of a top Lakers defense. His offensive value is also far higher than the players ranked above him, giving Lakers fans something to be extremely happy about.

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or LA Sports Report yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!