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Los Angeles Lakers: Can Anthony Davis really handle the pressure?

By Ronald Agers

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 05: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 05, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 05: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 05, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Anthony Davis
(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Grubb warned before the season that Davis’ play would be privy to look soft like the last three seeding games. Here is why

David Grubb:

"Anthony Davis hasn’t ever been the favorite since he came to the NBA. The Pelicans were bad when he arrived and they weren’t much better when he left. He will always put numbers in the box score, but when the pressure is on, he moves farther away from the basket. He’s a shot blocker but not a rim protector, and he requires so much assistance to score. He’s been a net negative for the Lakers on both ends the last  8 games. In the bubble, he’s shooting 42 percent. It doesn’t matter the circumstances, that’s unacceptable for a superstar. In the restricted area, he’s shooting 80 pct. on five attempts per night. It’s just a steep decline from there. Less than 30 percent from anywhere else on the court. That shows he isn’t getting to his spots on the floor. You can blame the Lakers’ shooting woes, but one of the “top five” players in the league has no business being neutralized that easily."

Let’s break this down real quick. Putting this perspective, Anthony Davis went to the playoffs once in his seven years. Casual NBA fans keep bringing up the series win back in 2018 against, you guessed it, the Portland Trail Blazers.

Other than that…

In only one other season with Davis did the Pelicans even finish with a winning record! In layman’s terms, with AD in the fold, other than the aforementioned series in 2018, the Pelicans did not win a single playoff game. Even the series win over the Blazers turned Portland’s franchise fortunes around.

But the biggest issue with David’s statement is the shooting analysis. If Anthony Davis is shooting 80% in the restricted area, what is he doing shooting jumpers out to the 3 point line? Most of the restricted area basket seem to be alley-oop dunks and putbacks.

Shooting 30% from other areas of the floor shows that AD is depending too much on the perimeter shot. Some of this is on Frank Vogel, who is hell-bent on encouraging AD to shoot five 3 point shots a game. This won’t help, especially when he’s shooting 33% from distance this season.

The Portland Trail Blazers are not afraid of the Los Angeles Lakers. Turn the page and see one of the reasons why!

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