Anthony Davis is leading the Los Angeles Lakers squad pretty well at present. Otherwise, it was unthinkable for them to make the postseason. Unfortunately, the Lakers could not make the previous postseason edition. When the current season started, the Purple and gold army was suffering due to a lack of balance in the roster and multiple injuries. It was necessary to make vital changes to the side.
And when the front office did it last February, things looked pretty different. The Lakers looked balanced and ready to climb up the table to make the postseason. It could have been easier if it was not for constant injuries to key players. However, Anthony Davis took charge when LeBron James got injured. Since then, AD has been a revelation for the LA side. He is leading the team from every corner – offense and defense.
Anthony Davis Is Anchoring The Lakers’ Defense
The eight-time All-Star is displaying glimpses of the old AD who was instrumental in helping the Lakers win the championship in 2020. Anthony Davis, back in 2020, would create a barricade for his team’s defense that would be hard to breach for players like Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, Nikola Jokic, James Harden, and so on. That’s the kind of powerful defensive show AD displayed in the playoffs round 1 match against the Grizzlies. Ja Morant was in a world of pain after he collided with Anthony Davis, trying to get two points for his team. If that was not enough out of AD, then he also scored 22 points for the Lakers in that game.
The Lakers beat the Grizzlies 128-112 in Memphis, causing a huge upset. Anthony Davis scored the third most points for his team after Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. However, at the defense, there was no one better than AD. Anthony Davis earned 12 rebounds plus seven blocks and three steals. At the same time, he just picked one foul. Lakers teammate Dennis Schroder said AD’s performance was crazy and insane. Schroder added that while attacking, Davis always tries to find the right man and always makes the right decision to pass and or do it himself. According to Schroder, “AD is our anchor at defense. He works so hard for the team.” It is a wonder how things have changed for the Lakers from the start of this season last year.
What A Turnaround For The Lakers?
In the beginning, there were players who did not want to do anything without accountability for their mistakes in defeat or in victory. There was a lack of communication among the players. But at present, the Lakers have come a long way from that phase.
The players are gearing up for their next encounter against the Grizzlies on Wednesday. But there is confusion if Ja Morant will be available for the Wednesday night game. Either way, coach Darvin Ham emphasizes communication between teammates. Ham says if the communication is right, then the team can get through any complex or confusing situations.