It is often said that the L.A. Lakers can only go as far as LeBron James takes them. The 36-year-old superstar is their unquestioned leader and their best player.
But, according to FOX Sports analyst Chris Broussard, the Lakers will not get very far in the playoffs without Anthony Davis, who has been in and out of the lineup all year due to injuries — the latest of which being tendonosis in his right Achilles tendon.
“The Lakers should be as cautious as you need to be. … The Lakers, as great as LeBron is playing, have no chance of winning the championship if AD can’t play.”
How serious is AD's Achilles injury for the Lakers repeat chances?
"The Lakers should be as cautious as you need to be. … The Lakers, as great as LeBron is playing, have no chance of winning the championship if AD can't play." — @Chris_Broussard pic.twitter.com/D9he4GHQ1d
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) February 12, 2021
Obviously, the Lakers are practicing caution with Davis, as any lingering Achilles issues risk becoming a bigger injury.
But if Davis’ availability is compromised, it will be interesting to see how the Lakers are able to cope. Even with as well as Bron is playing, he wasn’t able to do a whole lot back in 2019, before the Davis trade. That season was the first time Bron hadn’t made the playoffs in nearly a decade.
So, without his co-star, who is to say the result would be any different this time around? Lakers fans, no doubt, are hoping they don’t have to find out.