For several basketball players, basketball is an escape. We saw Kevin Durant, one of the most undaunted stars in the NBA reduce to tears when speaking about his love for basketball. LeBron James continues to feel the hunger to expand his glorious legacy playing at the age of 40. Anthony Davis is no different. The Brow, although not a holder of any individual accolade fills his adrenaline thirst on the basketball floor. As a player, he has achieved greatness ranking arguably as one of the best defensive talents in the league’s history. But that isn’t his motivation.Even with 13 seasons under his legs, Davis approaches the game of basketball with the same intent as ever. Recently, in a talk with DeepCut’s VicBlend, the Mavericks forward spoke about what continues to motivate him to play basketball. And it isn’t the yearning for a DPOY or an MVP that has eluded him. AD finds a thrill in being out on the floor.“I still love the game man like it still brings me joy you know. I always said once I’m done I’m like it isn’t fun for me anymore you know then I’ll be done,” Davis shared on the podcast.Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) celebrates after he dunks the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesThere’s several factors that feed into his motivations. “Like we talked about before the motivation for my kids, motivation still going out there playing basketball. You know I still have fun and competing. Still have fun you know in a process of being ready for a season and trying to win a championship like all that still meaningful to me,” Anthony Davis said on DeepCut.Davis began this year exuding these feelings. With the Los Angeles Lakers, the dominant forward played at an MVP level dictating the game on both sides of the floor. However, the possibility of winning these awards doesn’t motivate him. Davis relishes the opportunity to compete with the ever-increasing talent in the NBA. And even after 13 years, he embraces those battles.Davis said, “I still love the game of basketball. I still love going out there and competing at the highest level with so many great other players in this league that I’m playing with and playing against. So that’s what brings me you know motivation that has to do with a lot like why I’m still playing”.Anthony Davis still values LeBron JamesThe shockwaves of Davis’ trade to the Dallas Mavericks are still fresh for the Laker Nation. In the wake of such news, wild reports came out. They suggested there being a discourse between LeBron James and Anthony Davis which played a subsequent role in his trade away from the Purple and Gold.However, James wasn’t going to stand for the spread of false news. He instantly took to Twitter to dismiss these rumors. “You a fkn lie!!” he responded to such claims. Likewise, James didn’t have any knowledge about such a trade even being in the works. And with Davis being the longest star teammate he has played with in his distinguished career, the move didn’t alter their relationship.Upon his departure, LeBron James wished him nothing but the best. “Love you my dog!! Go crazy over there!” he sent a message to Davis. It was a mark of their strong brotherhood which continues to exist even though they are no longer teammates. And if you think it’s one-sided, Anthony Davis’ recent claim might squash that. AD said if he were stuck in an island and had to pick one teammate to be with, it would be LeBron pic.twitter.com/rjTgxc6HCW— Nicole Ganglani (@nicoleganglani) February 22, 2025During the same interview, the 10-time All-Star was posed with a quirky question. The host asked him if Davis was stuck on an island, who would be the one Lakers player he would want by his side. It didn’t take him much time to answer. “Off the top, Bron,” he said as if it were obvious.Hence, it seems no hard feelings exist between them although they will soon take the floor as rivals. Davis won’t be part of the Mavericks squad when they play in five days. However, it’s bound to be a great return to LA. The team might celebrate his contributions to the franchise and most importantly, he will reunite with LeBron James for the first time since the shocking trade.The post Anthony Davis Finally Confirms Stance on Retirement After Emotional Confession on LeBron James Unearths appeared first on EssentiallySports.