Anthony Davis bemoans LA Lakers’ lack of effort against Indiana Pacers and for most of the season: “Transition and rebounding, that takes no skill”

Anthony Davis looked weary and disgusted in a postgame interview after the LA Lakers shockingly lost to the Indiana Pacers 116-115 on Monday night. LA surrendered a 17-point fourth-quarter lead and lost on a buzzer-beating 3-point shot by Pacers rookie Andrew Nembhard.

Here’s AD’s reply when asked about what cost the Lakers the game:

“It takes effort. Transition and rebounding, that takes no skill. Putting body on guys and having the effort to get back in transition (defense), that’s what hurt us tonight, and it’s kinda been hurting us this whole season. We do those things, we win the game.”

Anchored by Anthony Davis, the LA Lakers were an elite defensive team when they started the season. They ranked second in defensive rating after their first five games. The Lakers, however, have been slowly slipping despite their improved win-loss slate as they are now eighth in that category.

Transition defense and rebounding are critical aspects of playing defense. Per NBA.com stats, the Lakers are last in the league in fastbreak points allowed. They’re letting opponents score 18 transition points per game.

Against the Indiana Pacers, they gave up 23 fastbreak points, 10 of which came in the decisive fourth quarter. The Lakers, though, outrebounded the Pacers 57-49 but gave up two crucial offensive rebounds in the dying minutes.

Even with Davis in the paint on the final play of the game, the Lakers couldn’t clean the glass. The long rebound off a Myles Turner missed 3-pointer ultimately led to Andrew Nembhard’s game-winning 3-pointer.

It’s glaring for Davis to emphasize lack of effort as the biggest thing hurting them this season. At one point, the Lakers were 2-10 and currently hold a 7-12 mark. For them to struggle and still not put in the effort should be something that will deeply disturb the Lakers’ fan base.

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Anthony Davis has to demand the ball even when LeBron James plays

Anthony Davis can't play second fiddle to LeBron James for the LA Lakers to succeed this season.

Anthony Davis went berserk in the five games that LeBron James missed. He reminded the NBA that he is still a dominant force when he’s aggressive and when his team constantly involves him in the offense.

Shaquille O’Neal questioned if AD will sustain his aggression when “King James” returns. Against the Indiana Pacers, that wasn’t the case. Davis shockingly took just two shots even when Indiana was largely content with Myles Turner guarding the eight-time All-Star one-on-one.

The LA Lakers looked resurgent when they consistently ran everything on offense around Davis. They’ve looked discombobulated every time they deviate from that strategy. It must be very frustrating for Lakers fans to watch their team repeatedly fail to stick to the gameplan that works best for them.

LeBron James has been very vocal about the Lakers’ need to get Davis his touches. And yet on several occasions this season, he has made himself the center of the offense. He has to make sacrifices and prioritize Davis on offense.

With or without “King James,” Anthony Davis has to take responsibility and demand the ball. He can’t continue his second-half disappearing act and expect the Lakers to improve their record.