Film study: How close is Anthony Davis to 100% heading into the playoffs?

Lakers superstar Anthony Davis has been back on the floor for more than three weeks now after an extended absence of nearly three months following a re-aggravation of the Achilles issue and calf strain he was dealing with, essentially giving him the off-season he never had but badly needed.

This recent period has been critical for Davis to re-acclimate to the rigors and demands of the game, while also regaining fluidity, rhythm, and confidence. In the following video, I detailed how his movement has progressed since his return, breaking it down into nine different movement components spread out over 34 separate video clips.

Davis’ ongoing improvement and progress will be integral for the Lakers’ repeat hopes, and so far the signs and patterns look very good. The Lakers medical and training staff’s collective plan and approach has worked, but with the play-in game coming and then — hopefully — the playoffs, there will be another step up in intensity for the Lakers, and the biggest test yet of just how mentally and physically ready Davis is.

Dr. Rajpal Brar, DPT has a doctorate in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University, and runs his own in-person and online sports medicine and performance business, 3CB Performance, in West LA and Valencia, CA in which he further combines his movement expertise and fitness training. He also works at a hospital — giving him experience with patients in the immediate healthcare setting and neurological patients (post stroke, post brain injury) — and has been practicing for 4 years. Brar is additionally training at UCLA’s mindful awareness research center (MARC), has a background in youth basketball coaching, and analyzes the Lakers from a medical and skills perspective for Silver Screen and Roll and on his own YouTube Channel. You can follow him on Twitter at @3cbPerformance.