How He Turned Anthony Davis Into an MVP Candidate With Shaq-Like Stats

From the moment JJ Redick joined the Lakers’ coaching staff, he had a vision: maximize Anthony Davis‘ potential and redefine the team’s offense. By making Davis the focal point and easing the load on a 39-year-old LeBron James, Redick has unleashed a career-best performance from Davis, turning him into a top-five MVP candidate.

With Davis posting stats that rival even Shaquille O’Neal’s prime, the Lakers’ offensive efficiency has skyrocketed, ranking No. 4 in the NBA. Here’s how Redick’s strategies have transformed Davis and the Lakers’ offense.

Anthony Davis Is Scoring Better Than MVP Shaq

Davis’ raw numbers are nothing short of historic for a Lakers big man. The franchise, home to legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Shaq, has never seen a center average more than Davis’ 30.1 points per game.

In comparison:

• During Shaq’s 2000 MVP season, he scored less frequently and less efficiently than Davis is now.
• Davis is combining elite scoring efficiency with versatility, a feat that sets him apart from his predecessors.

How JJ Redick Revitalized Anthony Davis’ Game

1. Rediscovering the 3-Point Shot

Davis’ ability to hit the 3-pointer has been a game-changer.

• In the 2020 bubble, Davis shot 38.3% from deep, leading the Lakers to a championship. However, his accuracy and willingness to shoot declined in subsequent seasons.
• Under Redick’s guidance, Davis is now shooting a career-best 40.6% from beyond the arc, with 2.1 attempts per game, the highest in four years.

Redick’s focus on confidence and shooting was evident from preseason, where the first play he drew up for Davis was a 3-pointer.
“Whether that’s confidence or relief, he was willing to shoot tonight. We want him to be willing to shoot,” Redick said.

2. Making Davis the Offensive Hub

Redick has reimagined Davis’ role, placing him at the center of a dynamic offense:

• Elbow Passing: Davis excels at hitting cutters for layups in split actions, inspired by the Warriors’ motion-heavy offense.
• Delay Sets: Davis orchestrates plays from the top of the 3-point line, pulling opposing centers out of the paint and creating open driving lanes for teammates.
• Constant Motion: The Lakers’ offense now features relentless movement, preventing defenses from locking in. Davis highlighted this on SportsCenter:
  “We got constant movement when someone has the ball. There’s not a lot of standing around, not giving a chance for the defense to load up.”

3. Primary Scoring Weapon

For the first time in LeBron’s Lakers tenure, Davis leads the team in usage rate at 31.6%, slightly higher than Shaq’s 31.2% during his MVP season.

• Isolation Play: Davis dominates one-on-one matchups.
• Pick-and-Roll Excellence: Ranked in the 95th percentile, Davis remains one of the league’s best rollers.
• Versatility: From floaters to jumpers, Davis is nearly unstoppable.

This shift in focus has allowed LeBron to conserve energy while still playing at an All-NBA level, making the Lakers more balanced and dangerous.

Unlocking Davis’ MVP Form

Davis always had the skills, but it took Redick’s vision to unlock his full potential. By tapping into Davis’ passing, shooting, and scoring, Redick has crafted an offense that highlights Davis’ strengths and elevates the Lakers to elite status.

Redick’s blueprint has not only transformed Davis into an MVP frontrunner but also positioned the Lakers as one of the NBA’s most potent offensive teams.