3 Players With The Most To Prove: Pacific Division
Starting in the Pacific Division.
1. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
It was one year ago that Charles Barkley made it clear what everyone else was thinking about the Los Angeles Lakers' hopes depending on Anthony Davis being able to stay on the court:
Charles Barkley on the Lakers season: "It's going to come down to one thing: Street Clothes. If Street clothes can stay out of street clothes..." pic.twitter.com/S8OxJF2Ezz
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) October 20, 2021
Giving him the nickname "Street Clothes," Barkley illustrated the need for AD to stay off the injured list (and in civvies on the bench) and to be on the court if the Lakers are to have any chance to be a factor in the West.
Same goes for this season, after Davis missed 42 more games last year with a variety of injuries.
2. De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
Fox is the only member of the 2017 Draft Class with a max contract extension who has never made an All-Star team—not to mention even making the playoffs.
He now has the best surrounding cast he's had with the Kings; Domantas Sabonis at center, Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk and top rookie Keegan Murray. It's time to take it to the next level for Fox, and end the Kings' 16-year playoff drought.
3. Kawhi Leonard
Leonard already has two NBA Finals MVPs under his belt (2014, 2019), but after missing 127 games in the three seasons since he's come to the Los Angeles Clippers (including all of last season), it's time for Kawhi to prove once again that he can stay on the floor, and re-establish himself as one of the Top 5 players in the game. If he can, the Clippers are one of the favorites to land a top seed in the West.
Photos: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports, Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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