The Los Angeles Lakers started the 2024-25 regular season as impressively as fans could have hoped for. Playing against a team that reached the 2023-24 Western Conference Finals, Los Angeles effectively had the lead from the start as it defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103.

At the heart of the Lakers' success was the player that head coach JJ Redick called the focal point of the offense: Anthony Davis.

Davis was great, posting 36 points, 16 rebounds, three offensive boards, four assists, three blocks and one steal. He was everywhere on both ends of the court and played with incessant and infectious energy during his team-high 38 minutes of play.

More importantly, he was able to prevail early on against a rival who had left him without hardware up to this point in his career: Rudy Gobert.

Gobert had a strong game himself, posting 13 points, 14 rebounds, three offensive boards, two assists and a block in 35 minutes. However, the difference between good and great was the theme of the night as Davis outperformed in every phase of the game.

As one game concretely demonstrated, it wasn't just a battle of All-NBA bigs who will one day become Hall of Famers – it was a statement to voters for the Defensive Player of the Year.

Davis has garnered a ton of accolades in his 13 NBA seasons. He is a five-time All-NBA honoree, including four first-team selections, as well as a five-time All-Defense selection and a three-time league leader in blocks.

Unfortunately, Davis has never won the Defensive Player of the Year award – while Gobert has claimed the award a record four times.

Gobert's influence has been duly recognized as he is a walking top-10 defender with profound instincts. However, Davis has long been underrated as one of the most versatile and dominant forces in the NBA.

That was evident against the Timberwolves, including Davis' highlight blocks of a jump shot from Donte DiVincenzo and a two-handed dunk attempt from Gobert.

The latter play was immediately followed by Davis leaning over and yelling at the crowd – and it was easy to see why. He took this matchup personally and made it a point to attack Gobert whenever he could, be it in the post, on the drive, or while spaced out on the floor.

Davis also enjoyed the challenge of keeping Gobert away from the rim and battling him for mound on the boards.

One game doesn't decide a prize race, and it doesn't change the fact that many have tipped Victor Wembanyama as the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year. However, it's always a privilege to see one of the NBA's best attack an opponent directly, and that's exactly what Davis did.

One of the best players in the world wants to eliminate any doubt about where he stands in the NBA's hierarchy of two-players and dominant defenders. This is wonderful news for the Lakers.