With LeBron James still down, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to Anthony Davis to keep their season alive.
So far, he’s done well enough on his own (and with some help from Austin Reaves and others), but the Lakers will need to do better if they really want to steal a playoff spot this season.
Thankfully, AD knows that it’s up to him to step up, and he says he’s ready for the challenge.
“Any time you are playing with another star anywhere and that guy goes out,” said Davis. “as much as you try to isolate and not put much pressure on yourself, everybody’s looking for you to fill those shoes. Everyone’s looking at me like, ‘okay AD, we need you to carry us until we are able to get whole again now.'”
AD spoke with @mcten about taking the torch after LeBron's injury.
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The Lakers are 12-14 without James this season, which isn’t bad at all considering how vital he is to their success. Unfortunately, thanks to the team’s struggles earlier in the season, it hasn’t been enough to solidify a playoff spot.
For his part, Davis is averaging 25.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game on 55% shooting this season — but injuries continue to be an issue and there are questions about his durability heading into the playoffs.
Can The Lakers Make A Run This Season?
Rob Pelinka did an impressive job rebuilding the Lakers, and their new roster with D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt is vastly improved than the one they started the season with.
If LeBron can somehow return before the season’s end, the team is feeling good about their chances to compete.
“They believe they got a legitimate shot to take down Denver,” said Chris Haynes. “They believe they got a legitimate shot to take down Memphis. I don’t know about Phoenix when Kevin Durant is healthy — I haven’t asked around on that front — but there’s no fear at all.”
So, if circumstances go the right way, the Lakers could be facing a very beatable opponent in the first or second round — but they have to make sure they even get in the playoffs before they can worry about matchups.
At this point, it’s all up to Anthony Davis.
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