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Ex-Warriors Coach Issues Warning About the Lakers Due to One Major Force: “Put Some Respect”

Published 03/16/2024, 10:41 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

All season long, there has been one persistent debate – are the Los Angeles Lakers the team to beat? In fact, it’s been a conversation over the past few seasons. The LeBron James-led side has become a moderately good team lately. Even this year, they are the 9th seed in the West. Yet, some recent games shed light on their true potential. They grabbed wins against powerful foes, a statement to their postseason picture. A former coach believes it’s all because of one man – Anthony Davis.

Anthony Davis once held the prestigious title of being the next-best player in the NBA. He was recruited beside James as a hopeful successor. Unfortunately, due to recurring injuries, his place in the chain of command fell. At one point, Davis was seen as a liability due to his struggles with staying healthy. That’s all been put to bed this season.

Davis has made a surreal impact on the Lakers all while playing games regularly. When Mark Jackson analyzed the team, he singled out the Brow as the anchor for the Lakers.

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The Lakers are dangerous because of Anthony Davis

Mark Jackson, believed to be the mastermind who built the foundation for the Warriors dynasty spoke about the NBA hierarchy in the recent episode of his show. One of the burning questions on fans’ minds was the uncertainty over the Lakers. Are they good enough? Jackson showed no shred of the doubt when saying that’s the team “to watch out for”.

The former NBA veteran sidelined Anthony Davis was the one superstar who deserves to retain the respect that was once put on his name given his undeniable role this season.

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“They’re not it, but they are dangerous. So with all due respect, I say watch out for the Los Angeles Lakers. Especially, put some respect on the name of Anthony Davis. I looked throughout, spent some time the other day and I looked at all the big men in basketball. Anthony Davis is the third best big man in basketball,” he said on the Mark Jackson Show.

Jackson only placed Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid over the Brow. Davis has been an incredible freak on both ends of the floor this season. Defensively, he is the Lakers’ best shot blocker averaging 2.4 blocks for the season. He has been a steady scorer behind LeBron James, putting up 24.7 points every night.

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The seasoned coach warned all teams of the Western Conference about the Lakers. “I do not want to face the Los Angeles Lakers” he confessed. While recognizing the greatness of LeBron James, Jackson feels Anthony Davis is the player that completes the team due to his command of the defensive unit and being an interior terror.

He has rejuvenated his passion to stay on the floor, and Davis’ body is complying with his mentality. Before the season began, he made the commitment to play every game. AD has only missed four games this year. His magnetism is strong. When he plays well, the Lakers function like a cohesive unit.

With wins against the Bucks and Timberwolves in recent memory, the Los Angeles Lakers have instilled fear in the top seeds who might have to face them early. They rallied to the WCF last season from a similar spot. Who is to say they don’t do the same, or even better this time around?

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Is Anthony Davis Playing Tonight vs Warriors? Lakers Injury Report Reveals 9x All-Star’s Status

Can the Lakers improve their defensive woes during the final stretch of the regular season? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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Written by:

Anuj Talwalkar

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One take at a time

Anuj Talwalkar is a Senior NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, who is marching towards touching 3000 articles. As a writer who specializes in game analysis, post-game pressers, thrilling perspective on players and their performances, he loves merging his passion for writing with the complex human-dramas that unfold everyone on-court. At ES, he is known for his quick coverage of breaking news, an expertise that is now inspiring the junior writers.
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Edited by:

Ankit Singh