A terrific 7-3 start post the All-Star break had the Los Angeles Lakers seem like a lock to make it to the playoffs.
They then followed it up with brutal losses to the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks, which has left them at 10th in the Western Conference with a 34-37 record.
There are some doubts now on whether they’d make it to the playoffs, and fans debated on the topic.
“No they won’t make it, Anthony Davis can’t carry a team.” said a fan who thinks Anthony Davis is incapable of carrying a team.
no they won’t make it, AD can’t carry a team
— Mr Swooty🗣💯 (@SwootyMr) March 18, 2023
“Yes, they will make the playoffs. They’re playing well down the stretch of the season. They should be able to make the playoffs.” another fan pointed to their good stretch before these losses as to why they will make it in.
Yes, they will make the Playoffs. They're playing well down the stretch of the season. They should be able to make the Playoffs.
— 🏀🏀 Randy Ragsdale 👊🏾👊🏾🏈🏈 (@SashaMania36) March 18, 2023
“If Bron can come back within the next week then yes, if not then hell no. Anthony Davis ain’t leading them nowhere.” said a fan who thinks the only way the Lakers make it in is if LeBron James returns soon.
If Bron can come back within the next week yes if not then he’ll nah Adisney ain’t leading them no where
— Nat Turner Grandson (@DepressedSteelo) March 18, 2023
“They’ll make the postseason, meaning the play-in. But no further.” this fan believes the Lakers will finish in the play-in spots but won’t advance to the playoffs.
They’ll make the postseason, meaning the Play In. But no further.
— Alan S. (@alstan20) March 18, 2023
“Won’t even matter if they do because Darvin Ham is gonna get out coached anyways.” said a Lakers fan who is completely out on head coach Darvin Ham and thinks they’ll be eliminated fairly early even if they make it.
Won’t even matter if they do cause Darvin Ham is gonna get out coached anyways
— 🦅 (@deadboylyfee) March 18, 2023
The latest loss to the Mavericks was a crushing blow. The Lakers had the game in the bag, but a series of terrible plays from Davis cost them. In the last 10 seconds, with the Lakers up 109-105, he fouled Maxi Kleber who was attempting a three-pointer, then missed a free throw on the other end and on the final play, left Kleber open for the game-winner.
Lakers legend James Worthy said it was their worst loss of the year, and it most probably was. In those critical moments, you want your star players to step up and lead you to victory and Davis instead ended up being the reason why they lost.
Anthony Davis Spoke On His Late-Game Mistakes
Davis took responsibility after the game, as he stated that he told his teammates that the final play was his fault. The Lakers had also shot just 19-30 from the line, and AD said he told his teammates they need to practice their free throws. They certainly need to, as the poor free-throw shooting has been a problem all season and has cost them a few games.
With James still not close to a return, the onus is on Davis to respond to this adversity with some strong performances from here on out. He has averaged 27.7 PPG, 14.6 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, and 2.2 BPG in 17 games without LeBron this season and the Lakers need some displays along those lines moving forward.
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