Anthony Davis is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night and the team couldn’t be more excited about it.
To say that the Lakers are going through a rough, complicated patch is an understatement.
BREAKING: Anthony Davis is expected to make his return from injury on Tuesday against the Nets.
AD ON THE WAY. pic.twitter.com/WGk2svt8aC
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 24, 2022
They’re currently eighth in the West and could fall even more because they’re on a rough road trip that is putting them up against some of the toughest teams in the league.
They need Davis – but they need the best form of Davis or else the future of the season – and Frank Vogel’s job – are in jeopardy.
Anthony Arrives
For this season, Davis is averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game.
As you can imagine, that sort of output would greatly help the Lakers.
But Davis brings more than just his points – it’s his defensive skills that LA needs so much.
They have been bleeding points lately and have been giving away every kind of shot to their opponents.
The hope is that now that Davis is back, that won’t happen.
It’ll be very interesting to see if LeBron James will continue to play center after Davis’ return.
LeBron James is loving the defensive and offensive benefits of playing center so far. https://t.co/ajBZzPjQyN pic.twitter.com/wnMQWEySVl
— Silver Screen and Roll (@LakersSBN) December 4, 2021
The move of James to center has been one of the smartest ones Vogel has had all season and it’s worked out quite well for the team.
It has also shown that there is really very little that James can’t or won’t do for his struggling Lakers.
Fans are hoping that with Davis back, he and James will dominate on the floor near the basket, shutting down their opponents in ways they haven’t all season.
The team has been struggling to find a lineup that works all season but now that Davis is back, they might finally stumble upon the right one.
Of course, that’s all dependent on if he is playing in peak form again.
Some people have been saying that Davis hasn’t been performing like his usual self this year, lacking enthusiasm, grit, and drive.
It remains to be seen which form of Davis rejoins his team.
A Frank Situation
If Davis does come back and isn’t playing like his old self, you can expect to see Vogel sweating a lot.
That’s because the latest rumors say that his head coaching position is on the line and he could be cut from the staff at any moment.
Vogel was put in an impossibly hard place this season with the rigid roster and limited maneuverability.
He’s tried multiple lineups and had tweaked things again and again but the team is still floundering and there is little that can be done to change things now.
If Vogel is indeed fired, it won’t solve LA’s problems.
Davis’ return is Vogel’s last, best chance to find some success with this team before it’s too late.
A lot is riding on the re-entry of Davis: if he doesn’t play well, Vogel is likely gone and the hopes for the rest of the season are dashed too.
There is still time to turn this season around but hope is quickly running out.
Perhaps Davis will give fans a reason to believe again.
NEXT: LeBron James Can No Longer Carry The Lakers