In the Los Angeles Lakers’ recent setback, a resounding 129-109 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans, star center Anthony Davis showcased his prowess on the court. Despite his standout performance with 20 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, and three assists, Davis expressed a sense of emptiness in the post-game reflections, emphasizing the weight of the team’s loss.
“Anytime you lose, whether I play well or poorly, it always bothers me,” Davis said. “You always think about, especially me, I missed two big free throws and we lose the game by two… You look back and think about what you could’ve done better.”
Reflecting on the defeat, Davis candidly addressed reporters, expressing his personal disappointment, especially in moments that could have altered the game’s outcome, such as missing crucial free throws. The Lakers, now standing at a 17-17 record and holding the No. 9 seed in the tightly contested Western Conference, aim to bounce back in their upcoming clash against the Miami Heat.
The Lakers, grappling with a string of losses, face challenges in optimizing their versatile frontcourt pieces. Head coach Darvin Ham’s decision to keep Austin Reaves, considered the team’s third-best player, coming off the bench has raised eyebrows. Ham draws parallels to Manu Ginobili’s role but faces criticism for not aligning the lineup effectively.
While Ginobili’s bench role was influenced by the presence of Tony Parker, a future Hall of Famer, Reaves had been playing behind D’Angelo Russell earlier in the season. The recent lineup changes, including shifting LeBron James to a point guard role and starting two power forwards, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt, pose challenges to the team’s chemistry.
Critics argue that Reaves, known for his shooting prowess and perimeter creation, should be in the starting lineup to address the team’s needs. As the Lakers navigate this crucial juncture in the season, the discussion surrounding lineup configurations and player roles adds an intriguing layer to their quest for success.