Davis likes Lakers’ title chances when NBA returns

FILE – Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis (3) and LeBron James (23) celebrate as they walk back to the bench in the final seconds of overtime in the team’s NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. The Lakers won 119-110. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Anthony Davis says he likes the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances of winning the NBA title when the coronavirus-halted season resumes July 30 even more after the four-month break.

The 27-year-old power forward says he feels “100% healthy” after working out at home nearly every day since the NBA shut down on March 11 after Utah’s Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.

“Actually I think our chances are higher because we’re all rested,” Davis told reporters Thursday. “It’s going to be who wants it more.

“We’re motivated as a team and self-motivated to win.”

The LeBron James-led Lakers had the second-best record in the NBA at 49-14 and topped the Western Conference by 5.5 games over the Los Angeles Clippers when the campaign was halted.

They will travel to the NBA “bubble” at Orlando, Florida, next week for training camp and play eight more regular-season games without fans starting July 30 against the Clippers before the playoffs begin.

If the Lakers do make a run to the championship with the NBA Finals in October, they would spend about three months in the quarantine atmosphere.

The Lakers will be without guard Avery Bradley, who opted out of the comeback plan, and might not have center Dwight Howard, who’s status is uncertain.

“Obviously we’ll miss (Bradley) but we have guys that are healthy, guys that are ready to go,” Davis said.

The Lakers have added J.R. Smith, a former James teammate in Cleveland, to replace Bradley, while Dion Waiters and Markieff Morris had barely joined the Lakers before the shutdown.

“Markieff showed he can be a big part of our team,” Davis said. “Dion and J.R. are going to help us tremendously as well, with J.R.’s ability to shoot and Dion’s ability to score and playmake. It’s going to be beneficial for us going to Orlando.”

Davis is mindful of coronavirus worries and Florida’s rising number of COVID-19 cases, but he has confidence in NBA safety precautions and other players not wanting to become infected either.

“I think everybody would be mindful of following the rules. I don’t think no one wants to get COVID,” Davis said. “Guys won’t put themselves or other players, staff in jeopardy. The NBA is doing as much as they can to keep the bubble as safe as possible.”

There won’t be any spectators at the games as a result.

“It’s going to be different,” Davis said. “Obviously we feed off Laker Nation, home and on the road. It’s going to be very different not being able to have them by our side during this time.”

Davis says the impact will be more mental and require players to be self-starters when times get tough.

“If you’re having a bad game, there’s not going to be fans there to get you going,” Davis said.

As we say on the team, you’ve got to bring your own energy.”