Anthony Davis is in the midst of a season that should guarantee his placement on an All-NBA team at season's end. It would be a sixth career selection for the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, who continues to solidify his status as one of the greatest big men of the 21st century.
Unfortunate, a trend is developing that could sabotage what is otherwise shaping up to be a legacy-enhancing season from the 31-year-old.
Davis has been otherworldly for the Lakers in 2024-25, dominating as a scorer and doing everything in his power to save the team's flailing defense. He's currently averaging 25.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.8 offensive boards, 3.5 assists, 2.1 blocks, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 three-point field goals made per game.
Davis is on pace to join Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players in NBA history to average at least 25.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks,and 1.0 steal per game in multiple seasons.
Unfortunately, the Lakers are just three games above .500 and in the midst of yet another losing streak. Their current three-game slide marks the fifth time in 2024-25 that they've lost at least two straight outings.
More concerning: The Lakers' previously foolproof approach of Davis going off for at least 30 points is becoming less effective due to the defensive shortcomings of his teammates.
If Anthony Davis needs to score, the Lakers need to defend
Los Angeles entered its current three-game losing streak at 11-3 when Davis scores at least 30 points. Unfortunately, Los Angeles has now dropped two consecutive outings during which Davis has posted upwards of 30.
The common denominator in those games: The Lakers failed to balance Davis' increased scoring workload with an adequate performance on defense.
During the aforementioned losses, Los Angeles allowed the Houston Rockets to score 119 points and the San Antonio Spurs to pour in 126. It continued the most alarming trend of all, as the Lakers have allowed at least 115 points in each of the five games they've lost when Davis scores 30-plus.
They're still an impressive 11-5 when Davis produces upwards of 30, but the flaws on defense are costing them winnable games.
Simply put: If Davis needs to put the team on his back as a scorer, then everyone else needs to step up on defense to make that end of the floor more manageable for him. He's one of the best two-way players on the planet, but there's only so much one player can do.
Against the Spurs, the Lakers seemed to do everything in their power to make the game harder for Davis, committing 19 turnovers and allowing the Spurs to shoot 37.1 percent from distance.
If the Lakers are going to live up to the potential of a team with a true superstar, let alone two, then their success will need to begin on defense. Allowing 12 offensive rebounds on a night when Davis mustered eight by himself is the epitome of how Los Angeles has not only failed to complement its franchise player, but all but actively worked against him.
A trade remains a possibility, if not an outright need, but the bottom line is that the Lakers are wasting a superstar-caliber season by not lifting up a player who does it all for them