Anthony Davis has been sitting out for a long time now. Davis went down with a calf injury in February, and the Lakers have been cautious while bringing him back. Considering what happened when Kevin Durant came back from a calf injury too soon, the Lakers are making the right call by resting AD until he is 100%.

That may also be the right call for another reason. Former NBA Champion Rasheed Wallace believes that Anthony Davis is more important for the Lakers’ success than LeBron James. Wallace and his Detroit Pistons saw their reign of terror on the Eastern Conference in the mid-2000s end partly because of the rise of LeBron and his Cavaliers.

“I think he’s the pivotal piece for the Lakers. No disrespect to Bron and the other guys out there, but AD seems to me as that pivotal piece for the Lakers to repeat. Of course he has to stay healthy. It’s going to be hard. I’m not saying it’s a cakewalk for them even when AD comes back. Because as you said, you’ve got Phoenix, you’ve got Denver, you’ve got Utah, and you’ve got Portland. It’s definitely going to be a race.”

Anthony Davis: Is he more important than LeBron James?

Anthony Davis is more important than LeBron James when it comes to mapping the future of the team. After all, LeBron is 36 years old and cannot carry the same load he has had his entire career through his twilight.

With his ball-distribution abilities, James can recede his role and become a playmaker that facilitates the offense through Davis. However, that day still hasn’t come. James is still capable of doing everything on the court. He has even improved his defense to help set the tone for Davis and others last season.

READ MORE: Shaquille O’Neal Says Lakers ‘Don’t Need Home-Court Advantage’ With LeBron James and Anthony Davis Healthy

Davis is the key to unlocking the Lakers’ success without a doubt. After all, LeBron cannot carry this team to the Finals alone. Davis is crucial for that. However, we may be a year or two too soon in saying that the Lakers are dependent more on Anthony Davis than LeBron James.

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