Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons from win over Denver Nuggets

(Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Anthony Davis really showed heart in this game receiving an I.V. during halftime!

Anthony Davis came into the game sick. According to reports, there were numerous players on the roster that are suffering from flu-like symptoms. With Anthony Davis’ performance despite feeling so bad, most will compare it to the Michael Jordan “Flu” game.

Look it’s not even close. But when the late, great Stuart Scott can be heard, we can let him take over for a second. A special shout out on Stuart Scott day!

Anthony Davis missed the morning film session and shoot around trying to rest for the game. He didn’t play at Jordan’s level or for as high stakes, but it doesn’t take away from his performance. He couldn’t have been feeling any less lousy. At halftime, AD received an I.V. just to get through the game.

Most people suffering from the flu would gladly have what Davis had in that I.V. because he did work in the second half. AD accounted for a lot of the Lakers 24 points in the third quarter.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1202073956557045760

The offense was great, but what he did to Nuggets center Nikola Jokic puts him on the fast track to NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year. Nikola Jokic was a top 5 finisher in the MVP voting last year. No one would remember with that 13-point clunker he put together. The Joker had more turnovers (5) in the game than field goals (4).

In 37 minutes, AD scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds (3 offensive!) while playing great defense in crunch time for the Lakers to survive a tough game on the road. Frank Vogel stated after the game that he will play the wait and see approach for the Utah game.

But for this game, Michael Jordan would be impressed.