Stephen A. Smith believes, with Anthony Davis & LeBron James, Lakers are still a contender: “They have a chance because Anthony Davis has looked phenomenal”

The LA Lakers finally look like the team that many were expecting them to be. Although last season was a disappointment, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have proven they can carry a team.

Davis has been a force on both sides of the basketball court the past few games. His season averages are now up to 26.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. The old Anthony Davis is back, and it's exciting to watch.

Stephen A. Smith, an NBA analyst for ESPN, thinks Anthony Davis and the Lakers have a chance:

"I'm going to say they have a chance. Because Anthony Davis has looked phenomenal. Even in losing last night, he's been 30 and 15 or better in the last five, six games. Russell Westbrook is coming off the bench, he looks great. They're playing unselfishly. If LeBron James comes back and looks anything like we expect them to, I say they have a chance."

Interestingly enough, Smith didn't have the same thing to say just a few weeks ago:

“I came on the air and talked about how Anthony Davis was a top seven player. I take it back,” Smith said. “Da*n it, he don’t look like it. He don’t look like he wants to go anywhere near the basket. And my point is, 'Yo, bro, you’re too big, you’re too skilled, you’re too talented.'”

He's always been someone to switch up, but it's funny that these comments are only a few weeks apart.

Are the Los Angeles Lakers title contenders with Anthony Davis?

The LA Lakers (5-11) have been playing much better basketball recently. However, due to their struggles at the beginning of the season and last year (33-49), it's tough to say if they're a title contender.

A team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis can always be dangerous. They've already won an NBA title together (in 2020), and many believe that they're two of the best in NBA history.

The issue with Los Angeles at the moment is their lack of bench production. Their 3-point shooting isn't great, either, but it has improved since the first few games of the season.

Los Angeles still has Thomas Bryant and Dennis Schroder, who are finally getting back into the swing of things. Schroder has proven to be an above-average bench piece, while Bryant has also played well.

LeBron James has missed games, but is expected to return soon. It's tough to judge the Lakers until he's back. Considering he's still one of the best players in the NBA, LeBron should be a positive addition back to the team.

Anthony Davis will look to continue playing the way he has when LeBron comes back. It's not always easy to do that when LeBron is playing due to how ball-dominant he is. However, these two have already made it work ,and it would make sense if they can continue doing that again.

Let's see what Los Angeles can do. They've looked better, and that's a positive step forward for the Lakers.