Anthony Davis 'Doesn't Care' About Lakers Fans Reception, Addresses Mental State

Anthony Davis claimed he was still the best player in the NBA despite playing limited minutes and being on the losing side against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. He also spoke about his mental state due to the New Orleans Pelicans limiting his game time in recent weeks.

The Pelicans power forward requested a trade prior to the Feb. 7 trade deadline and was trying to engineer a move to a team that would allow him to fight for NBA championships. The Lakers were hot in pursuit of Davis and made multiple offers.

All the offers on the table were ignored by the Pelicans, who decided they would wait until the summer before deciding Davis’ next destination. The forward’s current employers would be keen to ensure they get the best possible deal when they trade one of the best players in NBA at the moment.

Davis has spent his entire NBA career with the Pelicans and would have been hoping for a cordial exit, but the relationship between the player and the franchise has soured in recent weeks after his lackluster performances since requesting the trade.

In his first game back after the trade, Davis managed just three points and then in his second game back, he went off with a shoulder injury at half-time. To add insult to injury, he left the arena for an MRI scan before the game concluded and then made himself available for the All-Star game just a few days later.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry cut a frustrated figure while answering questions on the Davis saga, but has since reinstated him into the starting lineup. However, the New Orleans franchise has made it clear they would limit Davis’ on-court minutes until the end of the season.

Against the Lakers on Wednesday night, Davis scored 22 points but sat out the entire fourth quarter. But after the game, he was adamant that his mental state was fine despite the lack of game time during the stretch and maintained he was the best player in the NBA at the moment.

"I am fine mentally, actually great, great mentally," Davis said after the game, as quoted on USA Today. "I want to play basketball. I don’t let nobody steal my joy, no matter what it is. I step between the lines and play basketball, I’m happy. It is just tough not being on the floor, especially in a crunch time situation."

"I feel like I am there. I am there. In my mind that hasn’t changed. The best player in the league," he reiterated when asked if he was one of the best in the NBA.

Davis got a rousing reception from the home fans at the Staples Center, with many fans certainly hoping he would be in the purple and gold next season. But the power forward was dismissive when asked about the reception, simply stating: “I don’t care.”