Anthony Davis has about 10 days to grasp the concept of being “The Man” for the Lakers.
Let’s set aside the thumb injury for a second. This is not about stats. This is about understanding the role of being the number one option for the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s not in New Orleans anymore. The Lakers franchise is a different animal.
The Lakers bought the farm to bring him in as the future of this franchise. LeBron James has gone on record (Whether you believe him or not is up you reading this) that the offense will run through him. All media outlets agree that Davis should be the lead guy. Only one thing.
In China, Anthony Davis was very far from the lead guy. He wasn’t even the best player on the floor. In both games, that distinction belongs to Nets players. In the first game, it was Spencer Dinwiddie. In the second game, it was Caris LeVert.
Most fans will look at the fact that his injury had something to do with his six-point performance. Let’s take a close look at the 2-for-7 shooting aspect of the game. Out of the seven shots he took, three of them were from behind the arc. Factor in only three rebounds, two blocks and a steal, the aggressiveness that was in the Warriors game did not travel overseas to China.
In the two preseason games against the Nets, Davis averaged 11 points and collected five rebounds, like for the whole trip.
The media narrative of players learning how to “play” with LeBron James will get old real quick this season. The Los Angeles Lakers will not win the NBA title if LeBron James is the featured player on the Lakers. It has to be Anthony Davis accepting the challenge of leading this team with skilled play and athleticism.
If he allows himself to get lost on the “tractor beam” of LeBron James’ polarizing game and takes a step back, well these last two games will be the glaring examples of what happens all season.
Speaking of LeBron James. Next lesson.