Anthony Davis’ Herculean Battle to Resurrect the Lakers’ Season

The Lakers will be relying on Anthony Davis to perform at his highest level if they are to salvage their season in the absence of LeBron James due to injury.

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Anthony Davis' Herculean Battle to Resurrect the Lakers' Season

The Los Angeles Lakers seemed to have worked out the kinks ahead of the end of the NBA season. After procuring D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Mo Bamba in the big Trade Deadline move, they had gone 4-1. This, together with the inconsistent availability of both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, resulted in the team’s record being below .500 during the regular season.

The Lakers have played 62 games so far this season and LeBron and AD have been together in 28 of them. Unfortunately, their combined presence on the court has not been enough to give the team a chance of winning a championship. Now, Davis is set to be absent from their upcoming game against the Thunder, according to Shams Charania.
However, things were starting to look up until LeBron got injured and he is now set to miss at least two weeks, leaving the Lakers without either one of their two best players.
On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Memphis Grizzlies and for a short time, it seemed they would be able to sustain the challenge. Anthony Davis was a force to be reckoned with, taking advantage of Xavier Tillman Sr.’s size disadvantage. Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV provided scoring, while both Michael Beasley and Jeffery Vanderbilt drove the offense and bolstered the team’s defensive and rebounding efforts. All of this was done in the absence of James and D’Angelo Russell.
Despite Anthony Davis’ impressive performance of 28 points (on 19 shots), 19 rebounds, and 5 blocks, the second half saw a shift in momentum as the Memphis Grizzlies, led by Ja Morant, outperformed the first-half support.

The physical superiority of Jaren Jackson Jr. is clear.

The Lakers had a higher three-point conversion rate by nearly 20 percent, making 13 shots from beyond the arc compared to the Grizzlies’ 6. Additionally, they won the rebounding battle 56-47. Nevertheless, despite the advantages and a great performance from Anthony Davis, the Lakers still lost the game by a significant margin.

Figuring matters out was accomplished, and then the queries transformed when the responses were seemingly revealed. The Lakers had 25 errors in their matchup with the Grizzlies, and that certainly did not aid their chances in scoring as it gave Memphis more opportunities, particularly on fast breaks where they seemed to excel. Nevertheless, Anthony Davis was only responsible for five of those miscues, which is more understandable given his usage in the game and the significance of his involvement.

  • Dennis Schroder – 6 turnovers
  • Austin Reaves – 4 turnovers
  • Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Lonnie Walker IV – 3 turnovers

With LeBron James absent, the Lakers need Anthony Davis to be extraordinary in order to re-enter the playoff race in the competitive Western Conference. Alternatively, the “other guys” must improve from their second-half performance against Memphis, for L.A. to have a chance at success. This carelessness from the players the Lakers relies on most only amplifies the issue.

To an extent that is not achievable and also is part of the concern for the Lakers, Ja Morant is a stellar player in the league, and Jaren Jackson Jr. is an All-Star. Additionally, Xavier Tillman Sr. made it tough for Davis, who was clearly tired in the second half while collecting a double-double, and Desmond Bane had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 assists without even being mentioned. It is beneficial to have enhanced depth, but when the opposition’s stars like Morant and Jackson Jr. outshine a single star – Davis without James – it will be a difficult challenge for the Lakers on many occasions.

The Lakers were unable to withstand the attack of the Memphis All-Stars, even though they played at a high level. The Grizzlies are one of the strongest teams in the league, and with LeBron James out, the road ahead will be even tougher.

D’Angelo Russell will return prior to LeBron, which could be beneficial. Acquiring Beasley and Schroder in their intended positions will keep them from having to do too much. Although Russell is a great player, he cannot replace the void that LeBron James leaves.

The Lakers are constructed based on the notion of the combined strength of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Together, the two superstars will create a legacy in the basketball world, even as LeBron is at the peak of his career. James is still one of the top players in the NBA, and Davis has all the potential to be part of this elite group as well.

Without LeBron, Anthony Davis is expected to take on the responsibility of helping the Lakers to win a championship. Deals made at the trade deadline that does not involve Kevin Durant cannot relieve Davis of this burden. As time has gone on, it is expected to be Davis’ team, with LeBron as a supporting player among the NBA’s elite.

It has not happened regularly this year, mostly due to matters that were not in Anthony Davis’ power. When it is in his hands – his own performance – it might not be adequate to rescue the Lakers’ season.
It is a difficult feeling to be so in charge yet unable to change the destiny of those who depend on you. That sense of isolation must be very disheartening.

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