Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron and the bench overcome Memphis, 5 Lessons
By Ronald Agers
Anthony Davis got numbers eventually but he couldn’t throw it in the ocean in the first half!
Lake Show Life writer, Kevin Germany wrote in his pre-game preview that Anthony Davis’ defense would be key against the Memphis Grizzlies.
This actually not that far off considering the perimeter defense is eroding by the game (More on that later!), but the fact still remains this guy has to get out of the gate scoring baskets. To say it didn’t happen was an understatement.
Anthony Davis was ineffective missing four jumpers, that helped jumpstart the Grizzlies’ huge run in the first quarter. His ineffective offense transferred to the defensive end as the Lakers went from 11-2 potential blowout to being down 36-25 going to the second quarter.
It was only when Davis looked to get more aggressive by forcing his way into the paint for free throws, things started to crank up for him.
Lake Show Life is starting to see a trend with AD. Granted it might be because of injury, but it’s a problem no less.
Davis tends to hold the ball too long before he makes his move. This was a problem last year. At times, it looks like he is waiting for the double team and it is messing up his rhythm. Here’s an example of what he needs to do.
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1345885766312980487
- AD gets the ball on the wing being guarded by Gorgui Dieng.
- He turns to face him in a triple threat position. While he’s doing that, Talen Horton-Tucker clears out so he can work.
- AD almost immediately attacks Dieng with a variety of moves that ends with a turnaround jumper from the baseline.
Anthony Davis didn’t score his first point until 6:23 of the second quarter and that was from the free throw line. The Lakers can’t survive many games when AD struggles like this.
However like LeBron, AD did just enough when the street lights came on finishing with 17 points (6-15 shooting!), 9 rebounds, 3 steals and an impressive 3 blocks. In the 4th quarter, his collaboration with LeBron in the two man pick and roll basically rendered Memphis’ defense null and void.
Hopefully his calf is not getting worse. Anthony Davis has proved his toughness last year while getting a ring. If this is about proving a point and playing hurt through a tricky injury like this, he needs to stop. The Lakers title chances begin and end with him.
If you thought AD’s game was strange, you haven’t read nothing yet. This player was probably hotter than LeBron coming out of the gate. He didn’t end that way. Read on to see who this player is and how he did.