The Orlando Bubble season restart has been a bumpy ride for the Los Angeles Lakers power forward Anthony Davis. He played handsomely in the beginning, then geared down and played a couple of forgetful games. 

The perks of playing for a popular franchise brings its own thorns. The Lakers have reached the NBA playoffs for the first time after 2013. This was the longest break they ever had. Now that they have made it, it puts extensive pressure over the key duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to push them for a title win.

Anthony Davis and his wisdom

The Lakers star gave an interview where he detailed his stance on the way we view underdogs and the title favorites so differently. He explained, “Most of the time, we were the underdogs. Here, we’re the favorite. I think that is a bigger difference. The target’s a lot bigger. When you’re underdog, you get wins and winning games you’re not supposed to, you necessarily don’t have a target on your back. When you’re favorite, the pressure is more on you to win games than the other teams.”

The Los Angeles Lakers were #10 in the Western Conference in 2018-19 season with a 37-45 record. They entered this season as underdogs and made it all the way to the top. They might be the favorites but the criticism and pressure they face is still high on intensity. Speaking of the pressure, AD proudly said, “I’m fine with it, no problem for me. Makes it [a] little more exciting, more fun to go out.”

Only the real champions see the excitement of it when put in a boiler room. AD has played in two playoffs so far (both for the New Orleans Pelicans) and has averaged 30.5 points and 12.7 rebounds in them.

What are the obstacles in front of the Los Angeles Lakers?

The name of one giant obstacle is Damian Lillard. Big Game Dame has accumulated one of the highest points per game against the Lakers. It seems as if the Lakers are his favorite side where he wants to open his wings and record crazy figures.

AD will bring great interior presence, defense quality, and playmaking ability to the Lakers. This can contain the Blazers’ offense to some extent, but would that be enough? We will know it on August 18 at 9:00 PM ET (TNT).

Also read – Damian Lillard Stands Alongside NBA Legends as the Highest PPG Against Lakers