No disrespect to LeBron James, who valiantly took the mantle from Kobe Bryant and carried this team through the most difficult and unprecedented season in the history of the NBA, but Anthony Davis is the Lakers’ future.
When AD’s game-winning buzzer-beating dagger-three splashed through the net, it was like the world stopped, the team’s legacy clock reset, and the era where Anthony Davis takes over as Lakers top superstar officially began. Out of respect, the Lakers will still be known as LeBron’s team like they had been known as Shaq’s team but the cognoscenti will know the moment had come when the team’s future depended on AD like it once did with Kobe.
Great as LeBron James is, the Lakers will only go as far as Anthony Davis can carry them. We saw hints of this throughout this long disjointed season and its harsh reality during the second half of last night’s Nuggets’ game. There will be games LeBron can still dominate just like there were with Shaq but the time has finally arrived when LeBron and the Lakers need to look to AD to close games like Shaq and the Lakers needed to look to Kobe.
While LeBron James is still the King and MVP of the regular season, it will likely be the ascent of Anthony Davis to Finals MVP and best player in the league that wins the Los Angeles Lakers their 17th NBA championship. That’s what this season, the Klutch Sports driven trade for AD, LeBron’s taking the baton from Kobe, and James’ respect and deference to empower Davis has all been about: winning championships and building a legacy.
This has been an unbelievably tough season for the Lakers with obstacles like the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, the five-month coronavirus layoff, and losing home court advantage to the bubble repeatedly blocking their way. But the basketball gods may finally be smiling on the Lakers as the bubble playoffs have eliminated the Bucks and Clippers, their main competitors, and cleared the road for Los Angeles to win its 17th NBA championship.
No disrespect to the Nuggets, Heat,or Celtics but this season is the Lakers’ best opportunity to win a championship with the Bucks and Clippers gone and the healthy Warriors and the new look Nets back in the mix next year. Who knows how long LeBron James can continue to cheat Father Time, what blockbuster moves franchises may make to create new superteams, or how long the coronavirus pandemic will devalue home court advantage.
When LeBron James joined the Lakers in free agency two summers ago, critics said he did it for family reasons. In retrospect, the decision was a calculated move to enhance his legacy and chances to become the GOAT. LeBron could play four more seasons after this, retire at 40-years old after his sixth season and maybe fourth championship as a Laker, and trump Michael Jordan as the GOAT with seven NBA championship rings.
No NBA superstar has ever had the career savvy and vision of LeBron to understand how combining his star power, the Lakers’ legacy, and AD’s talents could give him his best chance to surpass MJ to become the GOAT. That’s why he has deferred to AD and is willing to give him the opportunity to become Finals MVP and best player on the planet and even take a pay cut on his last contract with the Lakers. It’s all part of his master plan to win.
That clutch step-back dagger three at the buzzer by Anthony Davis not only positioned the team six games away from their 17th championship but also gave the rest of the NBA formal notice the Anthony Davis era had begun.
https://twitter.com/davem234/status/1308178264935092225
Shame on those who entertained the thought that Kobe’s intensity tarnished the Laker brand. We’re watching proof to the contrary. I don’t think for a minute Lebron or Anthony considered joining that other LA team. No lore to pay forward 🙂
Right on, John. Kobe’s is a huge reason why LeBron and Anthony Joined the Lakers. Kobe showed them how important the Lakers could be to how high they could aspire and go as professional basketball players as well as their post game careers. LeBron and AD have embraced everything Kobe and the Lakers represent. The Lakers were an integral part of LeBron’s career masterplan and quest to become the GOAT!
https://twitter.com/featfreaks/status/1308174098162356224
I seriously think AD’s buzzer-beating game-winning three was a transcendental moment in Anthony Davis’ career that officially puts the rest of the NBA on notice he’s arrived and is going to challenge Giannis, KD, Luka, and all of the other pretenders for LeBron’s crown as GOTE (Greatest of This Era).
I also think it’s a part of LeBron’s grande master plan to create a legacy for him as a Laker Great and catapult him past Jordan in the eternal GOAT conversation. I imagine he and Rich Paul talking about how LeBron could catch and pass MJ and theorizing about joining the Lakers, leveraging their legacy to get Anthony Davis there, and then playing 5 or 6 years and winning 3 or 4 more rings before retiring to become the acknowledged GOAT.
Of course, we need to take advantage of the path before us and win this championship, which will open the floodgates for deals to even get better for next season. That means semi-closing out the Nuggets Tuesday night to go up 3 zip to take their soul along with their heart. 10 down, 6 more to go. The Four Horsemen can smell the barn so it’s full speed ahead and take no prisoners.
Nice write up Tom. AD etched his name in Laker lore and if he wins a title his and LeBron’s jerseys go up. Though AD, god willing is a decade or more away from retirement.
Thanks, Sean. By the way, fabulous job on the Lakers Fast Break Podcast last night. You had us splitting sides we were laughing so hard. That Isle of the Misfit Toys take on JaVale was classic.
Had a blast, Tom. I enjoy the experience talking ball and I’m learning a lot as well. I thought the analogy fit this time. Just went for it. No rehearsals. Lol.????
You were on fire, Sean. Joining tonight?
My bad Tom, was really tired and around 1030 I called it a night. It was 50-35. Had an inkling a comeback could happen took my chances. Lol.
Aloha Jamie,
nice recap. i would like to add a 6th point to your 5. i love Rondo after he delivered that perfect bounce pass to AD for the win. while everyone was going crazy, he just casually walked down the court with a slight smile, like “No big deal, thats what we do”
I saw that too, Michael. Very classy and he led AD perfectly on that bounce pass. The other sidebar was one of the Nuggets punching the basketball in anger after AD’s show splashed through the net.
I also want to make sure nobody mistakes my article as being critical of LeBron or takes it as a dig against LeBron. He is still the best player on the planet but make no mistake, the Lakers are entering the Anthony Davis era and LeBron is the one making sure AD gets every opportunity to shine and win. Takes a special superstar who actually cares more about his team winning than his own personal stats. Bron does what the team needs to win. That’s what makes him special.
Hi guys, I missed the game due to an unexpected road trip with my in-laws. Little did I know I’d be missing out on the most exciting game for the Lakers in these playoffs, but man, I love the excitement here.
There is so much excitement here on the blog about this game that I probably will have to watch the replay a good hundred times in order to be convinced a new galaxy is born and a new star is orbiting it far, far away in a constellation named LAKERS.
Such would be the beginning of an era and the cure we Laker fans deserved after all the ailments we had to endure the past decade.
So, I want to thank everyone for the great comments and keeping me forever enthusiastic about our chances for # 17. Thank you all.
LOL. What a game to miss, Buba. Fortunately, we’re in the era where nothing is ever missed. I must have watched the game winner a 100 times already. Don’t miss the post by Gerald of the shot from a bunch of different angles. It’s the best way to relive it.