Anthony Davis says playing in Olympics gives him an ‘edge’ physically heading into season

While some might see it as a negative, Anthony Davis says playing in the Olympics is a positive from him physically heading into the Lakers season.

The fate of the Lakers has largely hinged on the health of Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Especially after a season in which both were healthy, the idea of either being put in a position where they could suffer an injury comes with a sense of worry, even if just a small one.

So, as the duo played big roles in Team USA bringing home the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, there was an underlying feeling of worry. Fortunately, the pair finished injury free and, in their one half of play this preseason, look every bit in mid-season shape on the court.

While that may be a surprise to some, AD spoke on Media Day to ESPN LA about how he felt physically and revealed he feels he and LeBron are at an advantage because of the Olympics.

“It gives us a little bit of an edge in a sense of your conditioning,” Davis said. “You’re not really knocking the rust off as you would probably if you didn’t play an official basketball game. But that’s really it. Guys still get an opportunity to work out and play pickup and things like that.

“For the guys who didn’t play, they still can get in a rhythm but to play a live competition for something that matters, it’s a little bit different.”

So far, there isn’t much of a sample size to go off of to see if the eye test matches AD’s words. As noted above, in the first half against the Suns, LeBron and AD looked like two guys with a physical advantage over everyone else.

It remains to be seen if that lasts longer than one half of a preseason game. If it does carry over into the season, that could lead to a welcome change for the Lakers. In recent seasons, the team has struggled to open the year and fallen behind the eight ball from the start.

With a tough schedule to open the regular season, they certainly can’t afford to get off to a slow start this year. Having LeBron and AD at a physical advantage would go some way in ensuring that doesn’t happen this year.