To achieve another ring, Los Angeles Lakers need to focus on keeping Anthony Davis healthy throughout the season. His fitness is a bit of a concern all the time. Even last season, when AD was the key for the 17-time champions to progress, his fitness hampered his performances. There are two things the LA side and Davis must work on – his fitness and consistency.
The Lakers will need AD to show the way again in order to get into the finals. Like he helped his team to make the postseason last time. But they know the track record of Anthony Davis and his availability. For the last two seasons and beyond, he has not played in more than 60 games a season. Hence, the Lakers will need to conserve AD’s energy for the most part of the next season.
Lakers Must Constantly Check Anthony Davis’ Work Load
The front office of the Lakers is looking for another big man who can play alongside Anthony Davis. He always performs best when he shares the responsibility with another big man on the court. It dates back to the days with New Orleans Pelicans when Davis used to pair with Demarcus Cousins. Later, when AD came to LA, the then coach Frank Vogel used JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard alternatively to play alongside the eight-time All-Star. It helped the team as they won the 2019-20 championship. Apparently, the process of playing two big men in the lineup gives AD a scope to save energy and play freely on the defensive end of the floor.
Anthony Davis is not crazy about playing at center, as he prefers the power-forward role. However, he did pretty well the previous season playing at the center. He had an average of 25.9 ppg and a career-high 12.5 rpg, along with 2.6 apg, two blocks, and 1.1 steals. Although, the eight-time All-Star played only 56 games last season. He was out for 20 games on the trot due to a stress ankle injury last December. But when Davis returned, he showed why he was the leader of the team. And, no matter what, Rob Pelinka and the Lakers are planning to take care of AD’s health as well as possible.
Jaxson Hayes Can Possibly Play Alongside AD
In the latest free agency, the Lakers have done exceedingly well in acquiring quality players. More importantly, they signed a 23-year-old big man, Jaxson Hayes. He is tentatively a seven feet big man. The squad can use him to play alongside AD. Even Hayes can play as a power forward and also in the center. Like Anthony Davis, Jaxson Hayes, too, is a former Pelican. Hence, the duo can turn crucial for helping the Lakers win their 18th title. Then, of course, there is LeBron James, who possibly will try one last time to push for a championship. After all, nothing motivates the King more than winning a title. LeBron James has been waiting for his fifth title for a while.
