Insider Names A Key Piece For Lakers Success This Season

(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers cannot make it far powered simply by the superhuman abilities of LeBron James.

That is what Brian Windhorst said on Thursday’s episode of First Take.

Stephen A. Smith asked Windhorst how far James can carry the Lakers and his response was frank and frightening to LA fans.

“Not that far, and he knows that. He knows without Anthony Davis, this is not a contending team,” Windhorst said.

How far can LeBron carry the Lakers?

“Not that far, and he knows that. He knows without Anthony Davis, this is not a contending team.” —@WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/gfe7pZGC3R

— First Take (@FirstTake) November 16, 2023

The talk of the NBA world on Thursday was the disappointing display from Davis in the game against the Sacramento Kings.

The eight-time All-Star, who just signed a massive extension with the Lakers in the summer, produced only 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist.

Meanwhile, Sacramento’s big man, Domantas Sabonis, scored 29 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists in the 125-110 win.

Following the game, Davis admitted that he didn’t play well.

However, he said it had nothing to do with the hip injury that’s been nagging him lately.

To many, that is actually the worst possible answer.

It means he simply had a bad game that wasn’t caused by a physical problem.

Therefore, it could happen again at any point.

In terms of his blocking, speed, rebounding, and more, Davis did not look anything like a team leader on Wednesday night.

Whenever he has a game like this one, it casts a huge shadow of doubt over the entire Lakers season.

That is because most people agree with Windhorst: the Lakers are not playoff contenders if Davis isn’t helping them.

Even with James’ triumphant and awe-inspiring triple-double of 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, the Lakers fell short because Davis wasn’t able to do his part.

Whatever it was that slowed him down needs to be gone on Friday if the Lakers wish to rebound and pick up another In-Season Tournament win against the Portland Trail Blazers.

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