If the early signs are any indication, this is going to be a breakout year for the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis. 

Davis is thriving under new head coach JJ Redick, opening the season with four 30-point games in the Lakers’ first six contests. Redick has emphasized spacing in the paint to give the 6’10 center more room to operate, allowing Davis to leverage his mix of size and athleticism to score the ball.

With these seemingly subtle adjustments, the 31-year-old—renowned for his elite defensive skills and a career often affected by injuries—now stands as Los Angeles’ clear offensive focal point and a legitimate contender for the NBA scoring title. Through the first week of the season, the nine-time NBA All-Star has emerged as the league’s top scorer, averaging 31.8 points per game on 57.3% field goal shooting–both of which are career-high numbers.

Though there is still much basketball left to be played in this campaign, the fact that the Lakers will need Davis to keep playing at this level just to stay afloat in the cutthroat Western Conference playoff race bodes well for his chances of claiming his first career scoring title. However, it will not be easy as several players including Tyrese Maxey, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Anthony Edwards are averaging more than or at least close to 30 points per game as well so far.

The biggest question mark for Davis here, as it has been throughout his career, will be his health. Over his first 12 years in the NBA, he has played 75 or more games in a campaign a mere three times. One of those three came last season, where he played a career-high 76 games, sparking optimism that his overall durability has improved for the better. 

If Davis can stay on the floor and hit the 65-game minimum for the league’s end-of-season awards, it would not only improve his chances at winning the scoring title, but could potentially push him into the conversation for the NBA Most Valuable Player award. 

The talent has always been there for the first overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, and it appears that the stars are finally aligning for him. With his improving health, Redick’s system flowing through him, and Los Angeles’ middling roster requiring him to play at an All NBA level on a nightly basis, this season gives Davis his best chance yet to cement his place among the league’s elite, alongside stars like Jokic, Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Doncic.

Los Angeles has long awaited the moment when Davis would assume the mantle from LeBron James as the franchise’s marquee player, and this year seems poised to be that defining season. After years of anticipation, Davis finally appears ready to take full command of the Lakers and propel them back into NBA championship contention.