LeBron coaching Davis on fan reaction in New Orleans return

LeBron James is imparting some veteran knowledge to Anthony Davis. Specifically, how to deal with the likely negative reaction he'll face Wednesday night when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the New Orleans Pelicans.

"I talked to him," James said, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, "because I know what it's like going into a situation where you would call home for seven years. ... He's a kid when he got there, and he became a man along that seven-year journey, so it's just going to be a different situation for him personally."

Davis requested a trade from the Pelicans last season, setting up a sour end to his seven-year run in the Crescent City. He was booed by Pels fans after news of the request broke, something he said already made him "feel like I was on the other side."

James was the central figure in one of the most infamous return games in NBA history. Almost nine years ago to the day, he returned to Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat.

"Bron told me he had like, I want to say, 39 (points) in his return, so put a little pressure on me," Davis said. "Like I said, if we get the win, that's more than enough."

James actually scored 38 points when the Heat beat the Cavaliers on Dec. 2, 2010.

Wednesday's game in New Orleans will be a reunion for all players involved in the July trade that sent Davis to L.A. Former Lakers players Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart are now members of the Pelicans.