Anthony Davis’ Heroics Takes Ugly Turn as Lakers’ Glaring Issue Overshadows Historic Win vs Pacers

Anthony Davis‘ performance against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night was a sight to behold. Davis showcased an impressive display of skills. His remarkable performance sparked life into the Lakers‘ playoff campaign. The center scored 36 points in the game with 16 rebounds and 3 blocks. His performance proved crucial in the Lakers’ victory for the night.

However, despite the favorable proceedings, the Lakers’ triumph was overshadowed by a problem with their defense. Davis’ hand at contesting shots and disrupting the passes, Skip Bayless believes, highlighted the sole man run for the 9th seed Lakers.

Anthony Davis: One-Man Force

Skip Bayless appreciated Anthony Davis as he appeared on the Undisputed Podcast. Herein, the columnist pointed out that while Davis’ offensive production was undeniable, it was his defensive presence that truly stood out. He called his performance ‘Monster Stuff’ and added that performances like this from Davis will surely fuel their playoff aspirations. Bayless also said, “Nobody has that except Joker,” referring to the scoring ability of Nikola Jokić, but with the added benefit of a strong defense.

The concern here, however, is Anthony Davis seems to be the only bright spot in the Lakers’ defensive end. Bayless criticised Myles Turner’s inability to contain Davis highlighting the Lakers’ overall defensive woes. He further pointed out Davis’ post-game comments where he acknowledged the team’s “terrible defensive performance” allowing 145 points. This win was significant as their first without D’Angelo Russell.

Bayless also pointed out at their inconsistency which isn’t a new issue for the Lakers’. In pre-season Pacers were locked down by the Lakers. But currently rank a disappointing 16th defensively. This inconsistency and overall defensive weakness raise serious questions about the Lakers’ playoff aspirations.

Read More: LeBron James Admits to Exhaustion While Voicing Out Lakers’ Policy to Combat Shaky Road Record

Is this a recipe for first-round exit?

Kendrick Perkins, on First Take, offered a more pessimistic outlook. He described Lakers’ season-long struggles saying “You can smell doo doo before you see it. We been smellin’ doo doo the whole season long.” Perkins believes the LA Clippers are underachieved as compared to expectations. Perkins believes that LeBron remains as a formidable option on both ends of the court but expectations for defensive excellence have shifted to Davis’ shoulders.

This reliance on Davis might be helping the Lakers now, but it won’t in the long run. Despite his remarkable abilities, he cannot be expected to single-handedly carry on the team’s defense every game. Davis also struggles with foul troubles often. Thus, when their defensive anchor is sidelined, the Lakers’ defense is likely to shatter.

The Lakers’ win against the Pacers was a positive sign, but it shouldn’t mask their underlying problems. Anthony Davis’ offensive heroics are a sight to behold, but relying only on him to carry the defensive load isn’t a favorable scenario. With the playoffs approaching, it remains to be seen if the Lakers can address this glaring issue and turn things around.

Read More: No Trouble in Paradise as 9YO Zhuri Summons Savannah James for Wholesome Kiss With LeBron James