Lakers' Westbrook on teammate Davis: "He's the ultimate weapon"

As the Lakers prepare for the 2021 NBA regular season, Russel Westbrook believes his teammate may be the answer.

Westbrook vouches for Davis

Having participated in their first official training session together, new teammates, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis appear to rearing to go. Westbrook himself referred to Davis as "the ultimate weapon" and went further still, vowing to push the new Laker to the max as they enter their first season as teammates for Los Angeles.

"He's one of a kind," Westbrook stated on Wednesday. "There's nobody like him who can do everything he's able to do at his size. And my job is to make sure I continue to push him each day, each practice, each game, so he can be at the top of his game each and every night."

Anthony Davis looks to improve

Davis who didn't enjoy his best season last year is keen to improve knowing full well that the pressure is on. Aside from an injury which sidelined him for almost half of the shortened 72 game season, his numbers were simply not up to par. The center posted the worst numbers of his career so far with 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Davis' shooting was also well below average as he shot 49.1% from the field and and 73.8% from the free throw line.

AD's total points per game of 21.8 were the lowest since his second year in the league. Now 28 and entering his 10th season the sometimes power forward knows that he doesn't need to doubt his ability. An eight-time NBA All-Star, four All-Defensive Team selections and last but not least, the 2020 championship, Davis will feel confident that he can rediscover his form. Teammate Westbrook has every intention of seeing that it's exactly what happens.

For more from around the NBA

Anthony Davis accepts Westbrook's challenge

"He's been in this league a long time, so he understands how to play the game," Westbrook said. "He knows what he needs to turn up, and I know now he wants to turn up. So it's my job to make sure that's up every single night." Davis, who spoke to reporters while sitting next to Westbrook after practice, heard what the Lakers' new point guard said about him and embraced it.

"I like teammates who are going to push me," Davis said. "Encouragement -- I don't need encouragement. I want to be pushed. I want guys to tell me when I'm messing up. Me and Russ had numerous conversations in this first practice alone about things we can do together as a duo when we're both on the floor."

Davis went on to add that many of his teammates also push him. "That's what I want," he said. "I got numerous guys that's always in my ear about things, so you can't ask for more as a player who wants to get better."

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel weighs in

When speaking on Davis, coach Frank Vogel didn't entirely agree with his players' assessment of his talented center.  "...I think Anthony doesn't quite frankly need a whole lot of that," Vogel said . "He's very motivated to have a bounce-back year from what happened last year and we were all disappointed that he wasn't able to be at his best due to the injuries and the lack of the off season."

"But he's definitely put in the work this off season, he looks really good and we'll all be pushing each other."