Anthony Davis is the key to the Los Angeles Lakers’ success, especially now that LeBron James is out with an injury.
Rob Pelinka traded multiple prime assets away to land Davis, and it immediately paid off with a championship in the bubble.
But other than that, Davis has constantly been in and out of the lineup with multiple ailments, and some have questioned his feel for the game and desire to be out there on the court as of late.
That’s why former NBA players Carlos Boozer understands why not everybody thinks the Lakers can get the job done and make the playoffs.
Boozer praised Davis’ talent and impact, and he knows what he’s capable of when he’s at his best, but pointed at the fact that he failed to carry LeBron’s torch and hasn’t been as dominant as some other players:
“The bottom line is Anthony Davis — as talented as he is — is not Giannis [Antetokounmpo],” Boozer said on Key Jay & Max. “He’s not doing what [Nikola] Jokic is doing, he’s not doing what [Joel] Embiid is doing, and that’s really the downside. Everybody expected him to carry the torch.”
“Everybody expected him to carry the torch.”@MisterCBooz says Anthony Davis isn’t playing at a high enough level to win the Lakers a championship. #KJM pic.twitter.com/pC9DB7UNkP
— Keyshawn, JWill & Max (@KeyJayandMax) March 3, 2023
LeBron hasn’t played defense in years now, and it’s understandable, as he’s giving way too much on the offensive end of the floor and isn’t a young player anymore.
But asking a 38-year-old to do it all is as unrealistic as it is dangerous, as durability is the first thing to go with time.
That’s why Davis should be the one to take a step forward and be the team’s go-to guy, not James.
He will now have three weeks to prove that he can be that man for Darvin Ham’s team.
Otherwise, he might be heading out in the team’s offseason, as he’s had just one good season in Los Angeles thus far.
NEXT: The Lakers Are Prepared For A Long LeBron James Absence
