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On Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their fifth loss in their last seven games in a blowout against the Minnesota Timberwolves. LeBron James has struggled during this stretch, and fans are speculating that Father Time may finally be catching up to the NBA legend.
When head coach JJ Redick was hired by Los Angeles, he emphasized that the team would revolve around perennial All-Star and Olympic champion Anthony Davis. While Davis has had a strong season overall, he often defers to James in critical fourth-quarter moments when the team needs him to take over.
At his age, James continues to play exceptionally well, but for the Lakers to make a legitimate run to the NBA Finals, the team will only go as far as Anthony Davis can carry it.
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas discussed this dynamic on his show, suggesting that Davis might be hesitant to embrace the responsibility of being the team’s primary leader.
“Maybe he [Davis] doesn’t want to be responsible for losing games,” Arenas said. “Maybe he can’t take the pressure of dropping this game. Like, I’d rather let the 40-year-old do it because I don’t want the responsibility—if we lose, Laker Nation will be on me.”
Former NBA player Rashad McCants weighed in, arguing that Davis has no choice but to step into the role of the team’s number one option.
“You don’t have a choice,” McCants said. “When [LeBron] leaves, you don’t have a choice. So why not practice now?”
Davis is making $43 million this season and will become an unrestricted free agent next year. He has long been considered the future of the Lakers franchise, but questions remain about whether he can shed the “Robin” mentality and embrace being the “Batman” the Lakers need right now. Without Davis stepping up, the Lakers’ hopes for success this season could be in jeopardy.
“Some people just don’t wanna be the bad guy. Maybe [AD] don’t wanna be responsible for losing games. Maybe he can’t take the pressure of dropping this game.”
Gilbert Arenas on Anthony Davis’ reluctance to take over 4th quarters.
(via @GilsArenaShow)pic.twitter.com/otIEJbxits
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 3, 2024
