The Los Angeles Lakers have sacrificed many assets – Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hartpicks – to round up Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019. A transfer for which they could pay a high price if they were to miss out on their season and then pass on a very high-placed draft pick to the Louisiana franchise, which can exchange its pick with that of the Californians. LA currently occupies the penultimate place in the West with only 2 wins in 9 games.
Davis arrived with two assignments. A two-step plan: first lead the Lakers to a new title by supporting LeBron James then take over by asserting himself as the next face of the franchise in the King’s decline. The first part went without a hitch. A few months after his first steps in the purple and gold tunic, the Angelenos won the title by beating Miami in the “bubble” of Disneyland.
But as for what’s next… it’s a mess. James is no longer as physically dominant at almost 38 years old. He still makes his statistics (24-9-7) but showing clumsiness (21% three-point!) and having less impact than in the past. AD is the best player in the squad but he doesn’t behave like one or is not treated like one by his teammates. Illustration during last night’s game. The All-Star interior took just two shots in the second half and his team lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers (100-114).
Anthony Davis very discreet in the second half, who is responsible?
Anthony Davis finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. He succeeded 4 of his 5 attempts during a first quarter to the advantage of the Lakers (36-30). He died in the second half and his team was limited to 36 points after returning from the locker room to finally lose 14 lengths. No doubt frustrated, the person concerned did not wish to speak to the press. His teammates did it for him.
“It’s obvious that AD needs to touch the ball more,” admits LeBron James. “Our first objective must be to make sure he touches the ball throughout the game. »
“I don’t know who gets the job first, to be honest,” replies Russell Westbrook when he is asked who is supposed to fulfill this mission mentioned by James. “I will leave it to the coach to find the best way to use it. When I’m on the pitch, I try to read the game as well as possible and make the game easier for him and for the team. »
Westbrook is the playmaker but he comes off the bench – successfully! James is in charge of creation for most of the encounter. For Darvin Hamthe coach, the faults are shared but he wants to make his players responsible, including Anthony Davis.
“He has my blessing if he himself wants to announce a system in his favor. We tried to put him in the rhythm. We tried to get LeBron into the groove. Sometimes it’s dictated by the game. (…) These guys are not rookies. We have several systems where AD may be involved. You just have to be organized. »
A strong AD, an essential condition to hang the playoffs
In the end, it’s mostly a shame for the Lakers because Anthony Davis is good. He gritted his teeth after back pain but he has already played 8 of the first 9 matches and, on his scale, it is finally a lot. Plus, he’s pretty inspired. He currently compiles more than 22 points and 11 rebounds on average with 53% shooting success while being quite monstrous defensively. Los Angeles once had one of the top 3 defensive ratings in the league despite a negative record, mainly thanks to AD.
But he must actually be able to be the first option in attack, or at least a first option bis. It requires better involvement, with a concerned effort from everyone to highlight it. It would also be practical for him to find some form of efficiency in outside shots. Anthony Davis has been catastrophic at half distance for more than two years and it does not help. In any case, here is a new problem to solve for the Lakers in order to be able to save their season and go up the slope in the West.
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