If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.
The ancient sports saying may as well be enshrined as the official motto of the NBA after New Orleans’ Pelicans forward Anthony Davis reportedly demanded a trade. One of the most dominant players in the NBA, Davis has long been rumored to have his eyes on a big-name franchise, and it looks like he is about to aggressively attempt to make that happen. (RELATED: Los Angeles Lakers Star LeBron James Will Miss At Least Two More Games)
Rich Paul told ESPN’s @wojespn that he has notified the Pelicans that Anthony Davis has requested a trade. pic.twitter.com/U14tT8zcpQ
— ESPN (@espn) January 28, 2019
“Anthony wants to be traded to a team that allows him the chance to win consistently and compete for a championship” Davis’ agent Rich Paul told ESPN, according to the tweet published Monday.
If the name “Rich Paul” sounds familiar, that’s because Paul is also the agent and lifelong best friend of LeBron James.
James has been quite open about his recruitment of Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron and the Lakers after hearing the Anthony Davis news… pic.twitter.com/1323X2K81J
— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) January 28, 2019
And, that sums up the NBA. Professional basketball has become more of a boys club than a competitive sports league. The best players don’t want to compete with each other, but simply want to bandwagon off of each others’ franchises. It’s why the league enters every season with 3-5 legitimate championship contenders (at most) at a time when the MLB and NFL have historic parity.
Davis had a chance to be different, but alas it seems like he’ll opt to leave the team that drafted him in obscurity while he chases the bright lights in a big city with multiple other superstars. I bet sports fans just can’t contain their excitement for the new super team that’s about to form in Los Angeles or Boston.
Or, based on the NBA’s ratings so far this year, it looks like they can.