Davis still committed to Pelicans despite poor start
A 4-10 start to the 2016-17 regular season is not the dream scenario All-Star big man Anthony Davis likely envisioned for his New Orleans Pelicans, and the 23-year-old's name has even popped up in trade rumors early in the first year of his five-year, $145-million extension.
Nonetheless, Davis refuses to let the team's rotten record deter him from playing his game in an effort to lift the Pelicans out of Western Conference obscurity.
"My desire to win here is the same," Davis told The Vertical's Shams Charania. "I go out there and play. I don't care what the record is. I just go out there and play. I have to lead this team and make sure my guys are always happy and high energy. I don't care what people say about our team. They're not in our locker room seeing us, not part of our group. That's all white noise.
"I just try to control what I can: go out there and compete."
Talented as he is, there's only so much Davis can do by himself without the complementary pieces around him to make New Orleans successful. Tyreke Evans remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from surgery on his right knee, rookie Buddy Hield has struggled with his shot (38 percent from the field), and Solomon Hill - who inked a four-year, $52-million contract with the organization over the summer - has only one game with 10 or more points in 14 appearances.
On a positive note, point guard Jrue Holiday recently returned from a hiatus as he tended to his newborn child and his wife, who was recovering from brain surgery. The Pelicans are 2-0 with him back in the lineup, and he's averaging 21.5 points, eight assists, and a steal in 26.5 minutes per game.
Still, with the roster at its healthiest, New Orleans is likely no more than a fringe playoff team that would end up on the outside looking in come mid-April. Have injuries and poor performance made the Pelicans scale back their aspirations to genuinely compete?
"No, no, never," Davis answered.
He's missed just one game this season with a quad contusion, but if history repeats itself, there will be plenty more absences as the season progresses. Davis missed 21 games in 2015-16, and has yet to suit up for more than 70 once in his first four years in the league.
"Injuries happen, and there’s nothing I can do about it," he said. "I just wanted to get my body right to be able to play all 82 (games) this year and then play the postseason. I know how important it is to take care of my body and stay on the floor as much as possible.
"I know this team and what people say is noise. We just want to compete and get wins."