Anthony Davis Needs to Dominate for the Lakers to Have a Chance in the Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 1 against the Phoenix Suns, 99-90.

Anthony Davis had a poor performance finishing with just 13 pts on 5/16 shooting from the field. Davis also had a -18, which was the highest minus of the game.

Davis said after the game that the Lakers cannot win games in the playoffs if he puts up those numbers again. The Suns had a good game plan to defend Davis with double teams whenever he was on the post and forcing him to shoot perimeter shots.

LeBron James had a decent performance in Game 1 with 18 pts and 10 assists. However, the Lakers need more from their dynamic duo to beat the Phoenix Suns. James is still managing his ankle and is still not 100%. Anthony Davis has to be more aggressive throughout the series to allow LeBron to find his rhythm. Davis needs to dominate the game on both ends of the floor for the Lakers to win.

There have been talks of whether Davis needs to play the 5 more often in this series. The Lakers have a size advantage over the Phoenix Suns, but they didn’t utilize it in Game 1. Davis can play the 5 when they need him to but dominating the paint is the Lakers’ advantage, not shooting threes.

Anthony Davis needs to be the Lakers’ best player until James can find his rhythm in the offense.

Talent-wise, there is no reason why Davis should have any more performances like game 1.

We all expect a different mindset from AD and LeBron James in Game 2 and throughout the series.

Featured Image: photocat001/Flickr