"I'll never get it," he told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "They don't give it to me. The league doesn't like me. I'm the best defensive player in the league. I can go from 1 to 5. I can defend the pick-and-roll the best in the league, being a big player. I block shots. I get rebounds.
"I don't know what else to do, I'm over it. I'm just going to do what I have to do to help the team win and try to play for a championship. Accomplishments and individual awards, I'm done with that."
Davis was removed from the list of finalists still vying for the honor this season.
The nine-time All-Star collected DPOY votes in five different seasons but has not participated in the voting since his runner-up finish in the 2019-20 season.
Injuries undoubtedly played a role in this. Over the next three years, he played in 36, 40 and 56 games.
For Davis, who played 76 games this year, durability wasn't much of an issue. His 2.3 blocks and 12.6 rebounds per game, combined with his minutes, should be enough to secure at least some DPOY votes, if not enough to win.
Since the media (and not the league itself) votes for individual awards in the NBA, many Lakers fans will interpret this as the writers not properly appreciating Davis' defensive accomplishments or intentionally ignoring him for one reason or another.
But the media isn't the only organization that hasn't included the 31-year-old among the league's elite defenders lately.
Sam Amick and Josh Robbins of The Athletic revealed the results of an anonymous player poll on Monday. When asked about the NBA's best defender, Davis did not appear among the top 15 answers and instead found himself among "others receiving votes"
Category.
Given Davis' versatility and the three-time NBA blocks leader, his absence from the Defensive Player of the Year award will be glaring. However, given his age, it is becoming increasingly likely that Davis will not be included in this category.
