LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 9: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers during the In-Season Tournament Championship game on December 9, 2023 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

Lakers' Ham Compares LeBron James, Anthony Davis to NFL Legends Tom Brady, Ray Lewis

Tyler ConwayDec 10, 2023

Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham isn't shying away from heaping high praise on LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

"If Bron is our Tom Brady on offense, Anthony Davis is our Ray Lewis. He anchors our defense, he plays middle linebacker, he communicates, he does all of that," Ham said Saturday on NBATV following the Lakers' Play-In Tournament championship win over the Indiana Pacers.

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Davis had 41 points and 20 rebounds in a monster showing, dominating inside as the Lakers earned a 123-109 victory. James added 24 points, 11 rebounds and four assists on his way to winning IST MVP honors.

While the Brady comparison with James is apt, Ham might be heaping a little too hefty praise on Davis. Lewis is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history, a generational superstar who acted as the fulcrum of one of the best defenses to ever step on a football field.

Davis has one of the NBA's highest ceilings, but he's spent much of his career injured and playing for teams out of playoff contention before arriving in Los Angeles. His potential might be of Lewis' caliber; his production doesn't quite reach those heights on a career level.

That said, Ham is far from the first coach to heap a little hyperbole upon his superstars. Odds are James and Davis appreciate Ham being the first to sing their public praises.