Los Angeles Lakers: 5 reasons to be excited for 2019-20 NBA season

3. Anthony Davis is the best Lakers big man since Shaq

George Mikan was such a dominant big man in the paint the NBA changed the court’s design to account for him. Wilt Chamberlain was a physically freakish scorer and likewise engendered rule changes.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the leading scorer in the history of the league. Shaquille O’Neal was simply unstoppable one-on-one.

Los Angeles has a long and brilliant history of big man play, and Anthony Davis has the opportunity to join them. A six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA member in his seven seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans.

In contrast to players such as Chamberlain and Abdul-Jabbar, he is also a dominant defender, a three-time All-Defense selection and a three-time block champion.

In Los Angeles Davis will likely start at power forward, not because of team fit but because of personal preference and wear-and-tear. How much head coach Frank Vogel plays Davis at center will determine how much this team’s upside is realized.

At center with LeBron James at power forward is the best setup for the team and Davis, providing maximum space for Davis to score inside and out.

Championships are what came on the backs of those elite bigs in the Lakers’ history, and that is what the organization and its fans hope come from adding Davis as well.

He is talented and uniquely gifted, and it will be exciting to watch him this year as he tries to manage the expectations of contention.