Sports Illustrated Disrespects Anthony Davis in Latest NBA Player Rankings

Sports Illustrated released the preseason ranking of the top 100 NBA players. This list sure sparked controversy. NBA fans don’t really like the fact that Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis ranked seventh in the NBA rankings.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is on the top of this list, followed by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard from his city rivals. Houston Rockets’ James Harden is No.4, and Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry comes at No.5. He is followed by former Warriors teammate Kevin Durant.

Anthony Davis deserves a better spot in the NBA rankings

Seeing Davis at No.7 didn’t sit well with most experts. Davis led the Lakers to a title inside the Orlando bubble and has a key role on Frank Vogel’s roster.

Sports Illustrated listed Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, Damian Lillard, Paul George, Chris Paul, and Bradley Beal right after AD.

It’s interesting to note that the five players ahead of AD come off disappointing games or injuries from 2019-20.

Giannis won two straight MVP awards but his team has yet to make the NBA Finals during his tenure with the franchise. Kawhi and Harden entered the 2019-20 season as key players of contending teams. However, their seasons ended a little too early.

Curry didn’t really play with his team this past season. He was recovering from his hand fracture. Durant didn’t play at all because of his torn ACL.

Unlike each of these players, Davis and LeBron led the team to a title. The Lakers won the first title in a decade, and Davis did this in his first season with the team. He was the right fit for the defending champions and he and LeBron made the best duo in 2019-20. So, why did SI list him at No.7?

Davis is not really bothered with rankings. He is getting ready on his next season with the Lakers. The big man didn’t have much time to rest but he had his preseason debut against the Phoenix Suns. From what we could see during the game, Davis is ready to go and win his second ring. Simple as that.