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Lakers who must desperately step up with Anthony Davis injured

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 13: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to Lonnie Walker IV #4 during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena on December 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 13: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to Lonnie Walker IV #4 during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena on December 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are going to be without Anthony Davis for at least a month after the All-NBA big man suffered a foot injury against the Denver Nuggets on Friday. The situation with AD’s injury seems to be fluid with there being no guarantees that he returns in the month timeframe.

This could not have come at a worse time for the Lakers, who were finally starting to come into their own and gain some momentum. Now, the team goes from building mode into survival mode, hoping to just stay relevant in the Western Conference until AD returns.

If Los Angeles is going to do that then they are going to need very particular players on the roster to step up and play their best basketball over the next month-plus.

3 Lakers who must desperately step up with Anthony Davis injured:

3. LeBron James

We will start with the most obvious player. LeBron James has had his ups and down this season. There are games where he looks like vintage LeBron and then there are games where he turns it into a three-point shooting contest in which he comes in last place.

LeBron is going to have to play efficient basketball, and most importantly, is going to have to showcase his leadership abilities. LeBron has had the tendency to check out when things get bad in the past and that is the last thing that the Lakers need out of him during this stretch.

Nobody should expect (or want) him to play like 2013 LeBron and put the entire team on his back, but we are going to have to see a more calculated LeBron who takes over certain stretches of games to keep the Lakers in it.

It is about more than just scoring, although he will do a lot of that without AD. It is about scoring efficiently, which has been James’ biggest issue this season.

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