Anthony Davis’ Called Shot That Wasn't

Legend has it that in the 1932 World Series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Babe Ruth stood at home plate, pointed out to the flag pole in center field, and proceeded to knock the next pitch over the fence to that exact spot. 

In 1969, Joe Namath of the New York Jets famously guaranteed a victory against the heavily-favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. The Jets won the game 16-7 and Namath was the MVP.

Anthony Davis won’t be joining Ruth and Namath in the pantheon of called shots, at least not based on his performance last night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. 

With his team up 3-1 and looking to finish the series, Davis called his shot with his feet. That is, he laced up for the game with a pair of shiny gold sneakers that screamed out, “It’s trophy night!”

The Lakers did not hoist the trophy last night. By the end of the game, Davis could barely make it up and down the floor as he gritted his teeth and played through a heel contusion that he aggravated in the first half. 

With Davis hobbled, the Miami Heat took advantage and extended the series to Game 6. 

The gold shoes weren’t Davis’ first sartorial “called shot.” Last year, when he was with the New Orleans Pelicans, he created a stir mid-season by demanding a trade to a contender. New Orleans held out, looking for the best deal and also hoping he might change his mind. Davis had the last word when, at the Pelicans’ final home game, he sat on the bench wearing a t-shirt that read, “That’s all folks!”

Davis called it correctly with the t-shirt. In the summer offseason, the Pelicans traded him to the Lakers, where he joined Lebron James. 

The gold shoes, on the other hand, didn’t work out so well. And now, the Lakers have to be wondering how much they can expect from Davis in Sunday night’s Game 6. I personally wonder if he should be on the floor at all. 

Kyrie Irving is probably looking on with interest. Back in 2015, Irving was Lebron’s high profile young superstar teammate. Irving was the one playing through an injury (a strained knee) during the playoffs. And while trying to gut it out and help his team win a championship, he ended up shattering his kneecap in Game 1 of the Finals. He missed the remainder of the series. 

Even though the following year, he and Lebron ended up winning a championship with the Cavs, Irving asked for a trade in the summer of 2017. The Cavs obliged and sent him to Boston.

Who asks to be traded away from a Lebron James-led team? Who goes to the Finals three years in a row, wins one championship, and then says, “Okay, I’ve had enough; I’m tired of being on a perennial contender alongside the greatest player of the 21st century”?

Kyrie Irving did it. I think his desire to be traded went back to 2015. Playing through an injured knee and then suffering an even worse injury could not have been a fond memory for him. 

What’s going through Anthony Davis’ mind at this point? He’s obviously hurt. He could barely put weight on his right foot throughout the second half last night. Is he willing to gut it out and risk further injury? Or will he sit down, let his teammates carry the load, and focus on getting healthy for another championship run next year?

If I were Anthony Davis, I would sit. And if I were Lebron James, I would call the shot right now. Hand Davis his “That’s all folks!” t-shirt and show him to his seat on the bench for the remainder of the series.

That called shot would take the most guts of all.