The Lakers surpassed many expectations when they advanced to the Western Conference Finals this season. After a 2-10 start, they were able to last until late May as one of just four teams remaining. Even still, the Lakers looked hopelessly outmatched against the Nuggets, who proved to be the bigger, better, and deeper team overall.
While credit has to be given to Denver for their amazing play, many Lakers fans are looking internally to find out why the team came up short in the end. As Gilbert Arenas explained on his podcast, he’d start by getting rid of everyone not named Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura.
“That chin rub, he’s already thought about what he’s gonna do… there’s 12 players that’s about to get the f**k on outta here. I’m gonna say what LeBron really wants to say… the 12 of y’all don’t even come back to get your sh*t. We’ll mail it to you. 12 players gone. Reaves come back and Rui comes back, the rest of y’all get the f**k out. I don’t see enough to realize we’re cool. AD… we’re gonna have to let you go. We’re gonna have to get somebody over here that plays more than every other game.”
“That chin rub, he’s already thought about what he’s gonna do… there’s 12 players that’s about to get the f**k on outta here”
Gil on LeBron’s future with the Lakers 😂
(via @GilsArenaShow)pic.twitter.com/uXWlVJ9Ob5
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 24, 2023
Reaching the Conference Finals is no worthless achievement, but it’s not the goal the Lakers had in mind. Considering LeBron’s team was unable to win a single game against Denver, it’s clear that they still have a long way to go before they can make another run for the title.
For his part, Anthony Davis has been productive in various ways and especially on the defensive end. Throughout the playoffs, he’s been one of the best performers of all. Sadly, he’s not known for being dependable, thanks to inconsistent performances and an injury history that is quite extensive.
Can Anthony Davis Be The Star Of The Future For The Lakers?
AD was unable to help LeBron carry the Lakers to a win against the Nuggets, but the Lakers will need more from him as James continues to age. So far, AD has yet to step into his role as the main man for this group, and people are beginning to ask if he’s capable of living up to that title.
“No matter how much we try to make Anthony Davis into this alpha, that’s not who he is. He’s a fantastic basketball player, an All-NBA player, an All-Defensive player, he’s not an alpha,” Redick said on ESPN’s ‘Get Up!.‘ “No matter how hard we try to spin the narrative. That is not who he is. He is awesome but that is not who he is. The fact that he is not the best player on the Lakers, that speaks more to LeBron not being human than anything else.”
It’s very clear that the Lakers will need more from Anthony Davis if they want to keep winning in the LeBron James era, but until he takes the reigns as a leader on and off the court, there will always be doubts about what kind of player he is.
For now, at least, Gilbert Arenas and other doubters have already written AD off as a true alpha dog.
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