The Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of reaching the NBA Finals, but Anthony Davis knows all too well that championship opportunities don’t come around often. He and LeBron James form one of the league’s top duos, and they are determined to take advantage of their current postseason window.
Having never lost a playoff series when fully healthy, James and Davis are eyeing a repeat of their 2020 title win. After missing the postseason entirely last year due to injuries, they have defied the odds by making it this far.
Starting the season 2-10, the Lakers were given just a 0.3 percent chance of making the playoffs. However, a turnaround in the backend of the season, sparked by roster changes at the trade deadline, propelled them into the postseason.
Davis has been a force to be reckoned with during the playoffs, putting in the work on both ends of the court. In Game 1 of the second round against the Warriors, he recorded an impressive 30 points and 23 rebounds in the Lakers’ 117-112 victory. Coach Darvin Ham praised him, saying he was playing like one of the top 5 NBA players.
“When you look at me and Bron, we consider ourselves one of the top duos in the league,” Davis said. “We’re trying to do everything we can to try to take advantage of this window that we have. Championship-built teams don’t always come around.” He stated.
LeBron has also been making an impact, though he has taken a different approach by playing off-ball. This has allowed other players like Austin Reaves and D’Angelo to step up and contribute more points. Even so, James remains the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and is averaging 22.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, and five assists per game in the playoffs.
As they prepare for Game 2 against the Warriors, LeBron and Davis are focused on getting one step closer to the NBA Finals. With Davis averaging 22.1 points, 15 rebounds, and a league-leading 4.3 blocked shots per game, and James continuing to make an impact, the Lakers have a strong chance of realizing their championship aspirations.
The Battle of the Titans: Lakers vs. Warriors, Anthony Davis vs. Curry – A Clash of Offense and Defense
The Lakers have managed to contain Steph Curry in Game 1 of their matchup against the Warriors, with Jarred Vanderbilt and Dennis Schroder serving as primary defenders. While Curry still hit six three-pointers, his overall shooting percentage was limited to 41.7%.
On the flip side, the Warriors have no answer for Anthony Davis, particularly in the post. Kevon Looney has struggled to keep up with Davis’ agility, while Draymond Green lacks the size to effectively defend the Lakers center. Davis’ interior defense has also forced the Warriors to rely on outside shots, resulting in just 28 paint points and limited opportunities to draw fouls.
The success of the series may rest on Davis’ shoulders. Although he has struggled with consistency on offense, if he can maintain his dominance throughout the series, the Lakers will have a solid chance of overcoming even a stellar performance from Curry.
