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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons in bounce-back win over Utah Jazz!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled on a drive to the basket by Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of an NBA game at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled on a drive to the basket by Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of an NBA game at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 3, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis is the gauge for the Los Angeles Lakers chance of winning for the rest of the season! 

ESPN, Fox Sports and all of the major sports networks will make LeBron James the centerpiece of the Los Angeles Lakers. Lake Show Life can’t dispute that. The man happens to be the most famous basketball player on the planet. He is on the marquee and is “Marketing 101” on getting the NBA back on the minds of NBA fans in the restart.

Now let’s talk basketball. If the Los Angeles Lakers want to make it past the second round of the playoffs, they need to know who is the player that has the talent to get them there. His name is Anthony Davis. Against the Raptors, AD only took 7 official shots in the game. He never got himself established and the offense fell apart.

In this game, Davis took 14 shots in the first quarter! He came out aggressive and was determined to get into a rhythm and get to the foul line. He did both. But what will get lost in the media is his defense.

After the Lakers fell behind 7-0 early, Davis led the charge by clamping down on defense. It seemed that he totally clogged up the Jazz pick and roll which leads to lobs to Rudy Gobert. Even though the Jazz were leading most of the first half because of Donovan Mitchell, AD kept things close. The difference is Mitchell slowed down in the second half, AD didn’t.

Davis wrecked the Jazz for 24 points in the first half on his way to 42 points (13-28 shooting!),12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. He led the team with four 3 point shots that eliminated Rudy Gobert’s rim protection. As soon as Gobert had to come out on the perimeter, the Lakers offense opened up for drives like these. Even when they missed he was there to clean it up.

This Defensive Player of the Year narrative that the NBA pundits are pushing is weak. Sure he will win the award, his defensive rotations are top-notch and were on display in this game. He literally was contesting multiple players while playing defense. Plus with JaVale McGee M.I.A. and Dwight Howard in foul trouble at times over these seeding games, it makes his defensive performance even more remarkable.

This guy right here is an MVP candidate. Period. If the Lakers or LeBron James forgets this dynamic, the playoff run will end early.

Speaking of LeBron James.

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