Everyone is talking about Anthony Davis, and on this rainy Tuesday in New York City, he found himself in the basement of the NBA store surrounded by press that wanted to discuss the one thing couldn't address: getting traded to the Los Angeles Lakers
News of the trade broke over the weekend, but now we have to officially wait for AD to join LeBron James in Los Angeles. This move not only made the Lakers instant title contenders, but shook up the entire landscape of the NBA. Davis is about to be the face of the latest superteam in the league. He looked genuinely excited, even though he couldn't say exactly what he was excited about.
So until at least July 6, we're left with broad statements and smiles from Davis—who this week was in town to announce that he's the new face of Ruffles. The deal includes a custom shoe designed by Shoe Surgeon.
We spoke to Davis about his excitment for the future, the Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant injuries, his favorite NBA Draft memory, and more. Our full interview is below.
(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)
Is there one NBA Draft memory that has stuck with you throughout your career?
Just hearing my name get called. Going across the stage at this time with David Stern, shaking his hand and knowing that I was officially in the NBA and living my dream.
With the way that Klay and KD went down, how do you think it's going to be different with an NBA season without them?
Very different. Two of the best players in the game. Anytime anybody goes down, it's always tough for the NBA. But injuries happen, of course. I just wish them a speedy recovery and get back on the floor soon.
Do you think the NBA is now more wide open going forward?
I'm not sure. We'll see when that time comes.
How do you feel about the future of Anthony Davis?
I feel great about the future of Anthony Davis.
Tell me about the Ruffles deal in general. What brought you to this partnership?
Obviously knowing that it would be the first chip deal with an athlete and I'd like to be the person. I thought it was a great opportunity. Also, I love eating Ruffles. When they tell me I'd have a chance to create a shoe, it was like icing on the cake. It was a great opportunity for me. I'm looking forward to doing even bigger things with Ruffles.
Tell me about the process of making the shoe. How much of your thought process and a back and forth it was with them?
So we connected with Shoe Surgeon and kind of just went for it, trying to put different things on the shoe and different colors and see what came out the nicest. Came up with adding a ruffles and the ridges on the shoe, nutrition label, colors, all that. I played a big part in it. We ended up doing something nice with it. I'm excited with it. Obviously I got them on, so...I think it's going to be a big thing.
