Anthony Davis: Lakers 'Starting to Establish' Identity Ahead of 2024 NBA Playoff Push

After earning a sixth win in seven games, Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis believes the team is poised for a strong second half after the All-Star break.

"We're starting to establish that we're going to be a fast-paced team, a team that likes to get into the paint, get to the line," Davis said after Wednesday's 138-122 victory over the Utah Jazz. "But also be tenacious on the defensive end. Creating that identity for what we have to be moving forward.

"We can't be coming back from All-Star and [wonder], 'All right, what type of team are we?' This is what we have to be. This is who we are. And we've got to make sure how we're playing as of late, the past two, three, four weeks, keeping that identity and carrying it over into post All-Star."

This time last year, the Lakers had to integrate a lot of new pieces into the rotation after general manager Rob Pelinka's flurry of trades ahead of the deadline. That undoubtedly presented some challenges but ultimately spurred Los Angeles' run to the Western Conference Finals.

Pelinka stood pat before the 2024 deadline, which many viewed as dooming Los Angeles to its fate with the team hovering around .500. But perhaps maintaining continuity was the more sensible call.

Their recent surge has included wins over two of the NBA's worst teams (Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons) but also featured victories over the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans. The blowout of the Jazz came with LeBron James out of the lineup. Davis and Rui Hachimura combined for 73 points, with Austin Reaves chipping in with 22.

Looking ahead a few months, some big-picture questions remain. The Lakers are still leaning on D'Angelo Russell to play a big role, and he wasn't a winning player in the playoffs last season. LeBron James continues to play at a high level given his age (39) but is no longer the singular force he was a few years ago. How much of Austin Reaves' recent uptick in production is real?

For now, Los Angeles at least appears to be in a better place than it was even as recently as a week or two ago.