Los Angeles Lakers: Defense optional in loss to Portland, 4 Lessons

Anthony Davis might have had his worst game in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform.

All NBA players have their bad nights and unfortunately for AD and the Lakers, this game was it. After watching hook shots go off the side of the backboard, free throws being missed, to that scary fall landing square on his back, AD just did not have it in this game.

Anthony Davis finished with a subpar 13 point, 10 rebound performance returning from a game missed because of calf injury. He only had two points in the first half, and didn’t have too much more success in the second half.

But like LeBron James, Davis could not put the Lakers over the top. he looked very listless and lacked energy and rhythm. Where this really hurt the Lakers was on the backboards. With Jusuf Nurkic and Enes Kanter both breaking double figures in rebounding, the Lakers were outrebounded 45-41.

It will be interesting to see if he gets held out of the next game. If his calf affected AD to the level that he was almost a non-factor, he needs to rest it and not aggravate it further. Add the back soreness that he will definitely have after that fall, look for him not to play.

Frank Vogel had his reasons concerning AD’s struggles via ESPN.

"“We just weren’t moving the ball that well,” Vogel said. “I’ve got to make sure I get (Davis) the ball in opportunities where he can be aggressive.”"

This is very good media spin here. Vogel should protect his players. Lake Show Life doesn’t have to. Read on to see where the Lakers really ran into trouble.