For one night, Anthony Davis got a glimpse of the good old days in New Orleans.
For all NBA 2K and box score watchers that believe that LeBron James is not just as important to the Lakers’ success as Anthony Davis, Lake Show Life has a message.
Start watching games for the full 48 minutes, you are not paying attention.
Just like in pretty much every game this year, Davis put up monster numbers, scoring 32 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The difference in this game was that he had to work very hard while the offense ran through him.
Instead of LeBron setting the table getting everyone shots, AD struggled as Denver ran different schemes that included a zone at him. Big men like Davis are used to command double teams to break down the defense. The Nuggets did not double much. In tune, AD finished with 5 turnovers.
Paul Millsap didn’t have the gaudy numbers of AD, but that didn’t stop him from sparking his team to 36 points in the 3rd quarter and 73 for the second half. Most of his plays were while AD was guarding him.
https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1208969415301009408
The Lakers were effective in the first two and half quarters due to Anthony Davis leading the effort on the glass. L.A. outscored Denver 19-5 in second-chance points over the first two quarters. AD finished the first half with 19 points and 8 rebounds.
Then Millsap and the Nuggets started stretching the Lakers out. This lesson doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. But this play in the 3rd quarter definitely does. When Anthony Davis took a tumble and hurt his knee, more than a few gasps were heard at Staples Center.
It is not known if AD hit a wet spot or not (A Nuggets player slipped on the other end!) but it did look like a bad hyperextension of his knee. The Lakers should have shut him down then because the game was over at that point. When the ball was stolen in these highlights, it was plain to see that AD was hurt. Period.
Now for the Pelicans reference. Fill the comment section saying different if you wish, but Davis needed help. His teammates were not there for him against the Nuggets. Only one player on the team scored in double figures besides AD. Sound familiar?
If LeBron James has a Hollywood sequel of groin injuries like last year, the Los Angeles Lakers will have to find scoring from somewhere. Otherwise, AD will get frustrated.