The Los Angeles Lakers crushed the Golden State Warriors in the first game of their playoff series, but they couldn’t keep that same intensity in the following matchup.
That’s why Shannon Sharpe went as far as to say their effort in Game 2 was “embarrassing,” adding that they just settled and couldn’t keep up.
.@ShannonSharpe rips Lakers for ‘embarrassing’ loss vs. Warriors in Game 2: pic.twitter.com/PFAEnWURlQ
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 5, 2023
Sharpe pointed out the lack of defensive intensity against one of the best offensive teams in the league.
More than that, he and Skip Bayless also mocked Anthony Davis for his lack of aggressiveness, attempting just one free throw in the entire game.
Notably, Darvin Ham’s team took the floor with some intensity and even managed to lead after 12 minutes.
But it was all Golden State from there, with the Lakers getting out-hustled and outworked on both ends of the glass, even though Kevon Looney barely played because of an undisclosed illness.
Anthony Davis was stellar in Game 1 with 30 points and more than 20 rebounds, but once again, inconsistency was his Achilles heel when his team needed him the most.
Draymond Green’s elite defensive effort on Davis got him in shambles, and his body language was off for most of the game.
LeBron James was the Lakers’ most aggressive player by far, constantly driving and penetrating but his teammates failed to make the most of his playmaking on pick-and-pop plays.
The series will now head to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4, and Ham needs to have his guys ready to take the intensity up a notch if they don’t want to get in trouble.
NEXT: Stephen A. Smith Has Harsh Words For Anthony Davis' Game 2 Performance
