Lakers News: Anthony Davis Explains How Offensive Struggles Affect Mindset
Lakers News: Anthony Davis Explains How Offensive Struggles Affect Mindset
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

It was not the prettiest win Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers have had, but they will gladly take it as they won a tough outing against the Sacramento Kings.

LeBron James has been absolutely brilliant in his second season in Los Angeles as he recorded another double-double, posting 29 points and 11 assists while also providing solid defensive effort. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also seemed to finally break out as he finished the evening with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting with the majority of those points coming in the fourth quarter.

Davis, who returned after a one-game absence, had a rare off night shooting from the field as he went 5-of-12, managing 17 points in the process. The Kings made a concerted effort to get the ball out of his hands by doubling whenever he caught the ball, something that he has struggled with to begin the season.

However, Davis also seemed to exert more effort and energy on the defensive end and he explained how his shooting woes influenced that.

“It definitely increases my mindset. When the shot’s not falling, I try to do the other things to help this team win,” Davis explained.

“The team was trying to get me going, I just missed some shots. I try to take it out on the defensive end. Making plays for my team and make sure the other team didn’t score. Kind of just make up for it.”

Davis has already begun to make a strong case for the 2019-20 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award as he has been by far and away the team’s best player on that side of the ball with his ability to contest shots at the rim and switch onto guards or wings on the perimeter. Against Sacramento, he blocked four shots and added a steal while also deterring several drives to the rim.

Davis would also come up with the biggest play of the game as he was able to rotate over after Harrison Barnes faked a handoff and drove to rim. Barnes attempted to lay the ball up, but Davis was able to jump straight up and block it, sealing the win for the Lakers.

The Lakers defense has been one of the more surprising developments since no one expected this kind of production from them so early on and Davis has been instrumental to that. His presence on the defensive end is a game-changer and will help carry this team on nights when the offense does not have it going.

You May Also Like

Lakers News: Anthony Davis Describes LeBron James As ‘Big Ol’ Kid’

Coming into the 2019-20 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers, there were questions about just how well LeBron James…

Clippers Complete Blockbuster Trade With 76ers For James Harden Ahead Of Wednesday’s Game Against Lakers

Coming into the 2023-24 season, there remained one looming move that had yet to be made…

Lakers News: Metta World Peace Says Lakers Can Make ‘World History’

As a result of the win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on…

Kyle Kuzma Says Lakers ‘Are Playing A Little Bit Too Fast’

The Los Angeles Lakers have led the NBA in pace, but while their transition attack has been a weapon, Kyle Kuzma thinks the team might be playing a little too quick…