JJ Redick Confirms Major Team Meeting To Address “Weird” Anthony Davis Encounter After LeBron’s Emotional Confession on trading Davis and welcoming Luka doncic
In the world of professional basketball, few relationships are as intertwined and storied as the one between Anthony Davis and LeBron James. It all began back in 2010, when a 15-year-old Davis, fresh out of Chicago Perspectives Charter School and standing at 6-foot-10, found himself making a long, solo journey to attend LeBron James’ prestigious Skills Academy. This was days before LeBron would make his now-infamous “Decision,” choosing to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat. The camp, a chance for rising stars like Davis to showcase their skills, marked a pivotal moment in both players’ careers.
Davis, eager to leave his mark on the basketball world, recalls the moment he first met LeBron vividly. “I remember catching a Greyhound bus from Chicago all the way to Ohio to his camp, by myself,” Davis told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols. “Fifteen years old and getting to his camp and I remember being like, ‘That’s LeBron James.’” It was a surreal moment for the young Davis, who had yet to make his own monumental decisions regarding his future. At the time, Davis was weighing his college options—Kentucky, Ohio State, or Syracuse—which would eventually lead him to Lexington, where he would help secure a 2012 NCAA championship title.
Although Davis was a teenager then, he couldn’t have known that this meeting would be the first step in a decade-long relationship with one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Over the years, Davis’ admiration for LeBron grew, but it wasn’t until he entered the NBA that their bond really began to deepen. Through LeBron’s best friend, Chris Paul, Davis got to know the King more personally. The two would eventually form one of the most formidable duos in the NBA when Davis joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019.
The 2020 season was a breakthrough for both players as they captured the NBA Championship, with Davis playing a pivotal role in the Lakers’ title run. Despite their success
However, like all relationships, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. A prime example occurred during the 2023-24 season when Davis was noticeably distant during LeBron’s record-breaking moment as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Clips of Davis’ body language went viral, causing some to speculate whether there was any underlying jealousy. But Davis and LeBron were quick to dispel any rumors. “There’s no jealousy. There’s not a jealous bone in our bodies,” LeBron stated emphatically to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin in 2023.
But just when it seemed like the duo’s bond couldn’t be broken, a shock came midseason when Davis found himself traded to a rival team, the Dallas Mavericks. LeBron was reportedly blindsided by the move, with insiders revealing that he had no prior knowledge of the trade. The emotional toll it took on LeBron was evident when Davis made his return to the Crypto.com Arena—this time wearing the colors of the opposing team.
Lakers head coach, JJ Redick, who had his own experience with being traded and playing against former teammates, made sure the squad was prepared for the situation. Redick, who played for six NBA teams during his 15-season career, acknowledged the awkwardness that comes with facing a former teammate. “It’s just naturally weird,” Redick said during a press conference. “I’ve never in my life of playing basketball gone to another team and then played them the first time and been like, ‘oh this is just another team.’ No, it isn’t.”
But Redick’s experience was invaluable, as he helped the team acknowledge the situation and move forward. His words resonated with the Lakers players, and the game against the Mavericks became a moment to reflect on Davis’ time with the Lakers. Before the game, the Lakers played a heartfelt two-minute tribute video for Davis, showing highlights of his time with the team, including his efforts during the 2020 championship run. The Crypto.com Arena crowd gave him a warm standing ovation, which Davis acknowledged with a wave.
Though the game marked an emotional chapter for both Davis and the Lakers, Redick’s message to his team was clear: “You embrace it, you play the game, and then you never have to do that again.” This sentiment allowed the team to move past the initial discomfort and focus on the task at hand.
As the game played out, the familiar camaraderie between Davis and his former teammates was evident. LeBron, ever the supportive friend, was seen clapping and engaging in conversation with Davis during the game. Their chemistry, built over years of friendship and competition, showed that no trade or rival jersey could ever break the bond they shared.
For LeBron, despite the emotional toll of seeing his close friend and teammate in a different uniform, he made it clear that their connection remained as strong as ever. “I miss just being around him every day,” Redick had expressed before the game, encapsulating the feeling of the entire Lakers squad. It wasn’t just about basketball; it was about the relationships they had built.
As the Lakers and Davis continued their respective journeys, it became clear that, despite the twists and turns in their careers, the friendship between LeBron James and Anthony Davis was one for the ages—a relationship that transcended teams, trades, and titles. And though they may be on different paths for now, their bond will undoubtedly remain unshakable.
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