The Los Angeles Lakers’ opening-day loss to the Denver Nuggets has opened up quite a few narratives for the basketball world to discuss. The Nuggets are most likely still THE team to beat. Their uncanny knack for making big shots when it counts will be supremely important in their quest of going back-to-back. Nikola Jokic is still unplayable, dropping a very casual 29-point triple-double on opening day. LeBron James, at 38 years of age and with 30 minutes on the court is still the Lakers’ best player.

But what about Anthony Davis? With analysts predicting this to be his most important season, is he ready to be the main player on this Lakers squad? Will he be able to take over from an aging LeBron James? More importantly, will he be able to rediscover his 2020 Championship form?

Anthony Davis needs to step up

Davis started the game off with a quick 17 points in the first half, combined with 7 rebounds. His gameplay looked smooth, and for once it looked like he would be able to restrain Nikola Jokic from catching fire. Unfortunately for the Lakers, it all fell apart in the second half, and Davis ended the game with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. This sparked conversations around the NBA world, about whether or not Davis was ready to take the mantle of the team’s best player. With LeBron growing older every passing day, and Darvin Ham restricting his minutes, it is obvious that the Lakers need another leader. Of all the players currently on their roster, Davis is the only one capable of doing so.

Davis’ best season in a Lakers jersey was the 2020 championship-winning season. Fans were treated to a dominant AD, who was a monster on defense, and a lethal lob threat when going forward. The pick-and-roll with LeBron was one of the most effective weapons in his arsenal. The highlight of his Bubble Post Season (apart from the ring) was his absolute domination of Nikola Jokic in the Western Conference Finals, with a memorable game-winner in game 2.

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“Bron Can’t Do This Sh*t”: 12 Days After WNBA Star’s “MVP” Prediction, Anthony Davis Gets Pitted Against LeBron James by Celtics Legend

Davis has proven he can be the go-to guy for the Lakers, so why is he unable to perform that way?

The Brow and his unfortunate injuries

Since the Championship triumph in 2020, Anthon Davis has played 132 games. That means he’s missed 114 games over 3 separate seasons, which is a worrying stat for a player so important for his team. His injury list since 2020 is very long and very concerning. Over the last three years, AD has missed games due to injuries to his right ankle, ankle, knee, back, finger, rib, heel, right heel, right calf, adductor, right adductor, toe, back, right quad, quad, Achilles, calf, shoulder, groin, thumb, thigh, head, wrist, and foot.

The most concerning thing about his injuries is that LeBron, his teammate and 8 years his senior has missed only 87 games in that same time span. Despite all his skill and talent, if AD cannot be available for games, he simply cannot be an asset to the Lakers.

Can AD be HIM?

His impact on the court cannot be understated. In the Lakers’ series win against the Memphis Grizzlies in last season’s playoffs, Davis’ defensive ability was vital for the containment of Jaren Jackson Jr. and his fearsome rim attack. Davis is a very important piece for the Lakers’ championship hopes, but in order for such a title charge to materialize, he will need to stay fit. He will have to ensure he doesn’t go missing in crunch-time situations like today. And most importantly, he will have to establish himself as enough of a threat that the Lakers can win games without relying solely on LeBron James.

This would mean that Davis would have to take responsibility for himself, as opposed to hiding behind LeBron, simply because he can’t hide forever. Sooner or later, The King will hang up his boots, and then Davis will have to step up for the Lakers. Their team is talented enough to go all the way, and they have enough bench depth to comfortably cope without their starters on the floor.

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In the end, for AD to be the guy that takes over for LeBron, he will need to act toward it from this season. With advancing age, more injury scares, and the desire to preserve his body to share the court with his son, LeBron will be taking a slightly reduced role on the team. It is the perfect time for AD to be the guy that the team relies on, and show the world that he is, indeed, HIM.