On Sunday evening, the NBA revealed the finalists for the 2023-24 season-long awards, and Anthony Davis has a repetition of fate. The Los Angeles Lakers big man was snubbed in the Defensive Player of the Year ranking as the league announced a final 3 within its 7 categories.

Davis has been the most prominent defensive force for the Lakers, holding his own around the basket and often absorbing players that come through his backcourt teammates. In March, he logged 50+ minutes in an OT win over the Bucks, posting 34 points, 23 rebounds, and 4 blocks in LeBron James‘ absence, and was a driving factor in their late-season emergence.

USA Today via Reuters

Regardless, the NBA listed Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), and Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) as the finalists. Anthony Davis records 24.7 points and 12.6 rebounds (3rd best in the league) this season, while shooting 55.6% from the field and blocking 2.3 shots per game (3rd this season). Moreover, he has a direct impact on the Lakers’ ability to win, as his squad has suffered heavily mostly when AD has failed to put a decent start to a game.

Fans bash the award selection, after Anthony Davis’ omission deeming it ‘disrespect’

Fans who wanted Anthony Davis to win or appear higher for the season award did not shy away from voicing their concerns. With that, one fan put the Spurs’ 22-60 season run on display, questioning Wembanyama’s eligibility over Davis’.

The Brow’s defensive tenacity and versatility are a few of the main reasons behind LeBron James joining forces with him in 2019-20. However, Anthony Davis constantly sees an exit from the DPY top spots and waits to lift the award even after 12 years in the league. Behind that, a netizen claimed that Davis is the most disrespected defensive player in the league’s history.