DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 21: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers before the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 21, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Stephen A. Smith exclaimed his worries about the Los Angeles Lakers’ season as he feels like a LeBron James teammate is “disintegrating before our very eyes.”
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a disastrous start to their season. After failing to qualify for the Playoffs last season, the Lakers had a transitional off season where they roped in several reinforcements and looked set to overcome their troubles last season – but a wobbly preseason and the start of the regular season has completely exposed their flaws in front of the whole NBA.
After starting their season with a loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers followed it up with losses to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets – and displayed a shooting problem that has become a recurring theme. While the entire roster is being slated for their 0-4 start, Stephen A. Smith has singled out a particular player.
Smith singled out Anthony Davis as one of the Lakers’ major issues this season, and slated his lack of impact and constant lethargy as one of the main reasons for the 0-4 streak.
The NBA analyst singled out the Lakers center as their consistent underperformer for this season so far. Speaking on the latest episode of “First Take” on the Lakers’ troubles, Smith said: “Anthony Davis is averaging 24 points and 9 and a half rebounds per game this season, and I don’t give a damn. He looks like he is disintegrating before of our very eyes. No impact – none.”
“Maybe it’s because of the pieces around him or whatever, but it’s the back one minute – it’s the lethargy being very evident – whatever the case may be.” Smith also added: “I don’t know how much value you can get for Anthony Davis. Because nobody would trust that he’d be available to play, because he just always looks one play away from his season being over.”
Smith does have a point about Davis, as the 2020 NBA champion has never looked the same since his major injury last season – and rather than being one of LeBron’s key supporting pieces, he has been one of the consistent underperformers for the Lakers so far.
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