It’s fair to assume that the Dallas Mavericks’ season is already done after Kyrie Irving suffered a nasty ACL injury that immediately sidelined him for the remainder of the Mavs’ 2024-25 campaign. He headlines an incredible injury report for the Mavs that Jason Kidd is stressed over finding a solution to.
Fortunately, their chances of making the play-in tournament are still alive with a potential Anthony Davis return. Going by the tone of the team’s most recent announcement on his condition, the team would likely push for AD to return before playing in the playoffs becomes an unlikely possibility.
While focusing on returning to full fitness, AD went on an interview to discuss one particular thing that might have raised eyebrows when he first made his on-court appearance for Dallas.
Anthony Davis explains how LeBron James influenced him to pick #3 as his number on the Dallas Mavericks
The one-time NBA champion allowed an interview with MAVS TV in February, where he talked about the first days of his time as a Maverick.
One of the most interesting stories told during the interview was about his number. He said that LeBron James was instrumental in helping him appreciate the number he picked to wear for the Mavs.
Per Heavy’s Max Dible:
“When I got to L.A., [James] wanted to give me the [No.] 23. But I was like, ‘I don’t want to take your number,’” Davis said, per video shared by Nicole Ganglani on X. “Then, that second year, he went to [No.] 6 and he asked me if I wanted [No.] 23. And I was like, ‘I actually want to stay with [No.] 3. I want to go back to where it all started.’”
The Kentucky product has only worn 23 throughout his seven years in New Orleans, and it was only when he was traded to LA that he was forced to don another one due to King James having it. It’s possible he learned to love it after winning his first (and so far only) title with it.
Mavs fans will be desperately hoping he can win them another championship banner, as he’s already at the tail end of his athletic prime. While things look bleak for Dallas’s future, AD will do everything to put another championship ring on his finger.
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