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LeBron James is currently sidelined with a right foot injury, which will force Anthony Davis to push the LA Lakers into at least the play-in tournament. Without James for an indefinite period of time, the Lakers will find out if AD can lead this vastly-retooled roster back into the postseason.
Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett asserted on his podcast, “KG Certified,” that there’s a lot more riding in the Lakers’ last 20 games or so:
“Bron [James] hurts his foot, he’s down for two weeks. I’m anticipating that this is the time where I think the Lakers are sitting back to see the Anthony Davis project. And I think in these next two weeks, this is featured Anthony Davis to see what he can do in two weeks to maneuver the Lakers.
“If he doesn’t make a pivotal shift, if this don’t make a pivotal move, or it don’t really move anything? Lord, I think they’re gonna come off the Anthony Davis project and move him this summer.”
After a series of trades, the LA Lakers are a much more balanced and deeper team than the one they opened the season with. They are 4-2 since the All-Star break, with LeBron James playing in just two of those games.
After their win on Sunday night against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers (31-34) are now in a virtual tie for 10th spot in the Western Conference. They have the same record as the Utah Jazz but are in 11th place because the Jazz hold the head-to-head advantage (2-0). The two teams will meet again on Apr. 4 and 9.
LA will have to win both of those games as they may end up with the same regular-season record, which will give the tiebreak to the Jazz.
The New Orleans Pelicans are in ninth place (31-33), the LA Clippers are in eighth spot (34-33) and the Dallas Mavericks (33-32) are the sixth seed. The Lakers only hold an edge in the tiebreaker against the Pelicans, who will play again on Mar. 14.
Anthony Davis showed against the Golden State Warriors that he’s up to the task of leading the LA Lakers minus LeBron James
The marquee matchup last night between the LA Lakers and the Golden State Warriors was missing perhaps its biggest name. LeBron James has been ruled out with a right foot injury and will be re-evaluated in three weeks.
Anthony Davis proved that he was everything the Lakers needed to win the game. He finished with 39 points, 12 of them in the pivotal fourth quarter, to push his team to a much-needed win.
AD added eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Five other Lakers scored in double-figures but none caused the Warriors more problems than the eight-time All-Star.
Davis’ eight points inside the game’s last 4:05 were crucial for the LA Lakers’ win. Coach Darvin Ham didn’t hesitate to allow the big man to make plays for himself and others, and Davis responded like an MVP.
AD will have to put on the same kind of performance as the Lakers try to finish the season strong. Kevin Garnett and basketball fans will be watching to see if he has what it takes to carry LA on his shoulders.
You might also like to read: “Anthony Davis is the most SKILLED Power Forward to ever touch the damn basketball” - Kendrick Perkins lauds Anthony Davis as he continues good form
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