Los Angeles Lakers: Why Anthony Davis is more important than LeBron
By Jason Reed
![PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 06: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers greet each other during a time outin the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 06, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Lakers won 136-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 06: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers greet each other during a time outin the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 06, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Lakers won 136-113. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e74e5e899cfe40a17287e0fede41ed45057ac106dae5d2b1f9f6e19a6d213e16.jpg)
Anthony Davis is more important to the Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA Title quest than LeBron James.
If tasked with coming up with the most recognizable athlete in American sports right now there is only one answer: LeBron James, and nobody even comes close.
James is the only American athlete that comes close in global status to soccer (football for the rest of the world) stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar. Sure, you could make the case for Tiger Woods or Tom Brady all you want, but LeBron James is undoubtedly the face of American sports.
He is still one of the best players in the NBA as well. While the most talented crown may now belong to Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron still sits atop the NBA’s throne and is doing things at his age that most athletes simply cannot do.
LeBron can change the entire culture of a team and we have seen that everywhere he goes, including the Los Angeles Lakers. With an MVP-caliber season and everything else attached, it might seem like a no-brainer that James is the most important player on the Lakers.
But he is not. His leadership and experience is undoubtedly important to the team, but the most important player to the Lakers’ title hopes is his superstar running mate, Anthony Davis.
Anthony Davis’ level of play once the NBA Playoffs begin is going to make or break the Lakers’ title bid and is going to be the difference in whether or not the team can get past the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks.
This is not just a blanket statement with no reasoning, however. There are specific reasons why Davis is more important to the Lakers and LeBron James.