The Los Angeles Lakers have already experienced a roller-coaster season, and it’s still early in the campaign.
Los Angeles is 12-11, just above .500 in a season already filled with injuries. LeBron James, who has played in only 11 games this season, is out because of health and safety protocol, putting yet another delay on when this team can be considered healthy.
The Lakers have been accustomed to playing without James this season, but it’s also offered a glimpse of what the team could look like in the future depending on how long James plays.
That would mean Anthony Davis is the star of the show, and these moments without James have offered Davis, someone who is usually reserved on the court, chances to develop his leadership skills.
Davis explained how James’ absence is helping him grow in that regard, via Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports:
“It’s like I’m being tested with my leadership,” Davis told Yahoo Sports following a team-high 25 points, along with seven boards and two blocks. “’Bron has been out with injuries and now also with the COVID situation, so it’s a good test for me. It’s a good experience for me to lead these guys and the good thing about it, I have other vets on my side who’ve been in the game for a while to help me through the obstacles. It’s a good test, not just for our team, but for me to lead these guys.”
The 28-year-old big man said some of the veterans on the team have advocated for Davis to step up and speak.
“I’m just taking that next step in leadership to my career,” Davis told Yahoo Sports. “I’m going to lead the team my way. I’m trying to be one of the guys to express how he feels in our locker room. (Rajon) Rondo, ’Melo (Anthony), Russ (Westbrook) have all been encouraging me to use my voice because I’m normally a really quiet guy when I’m playing and the only time I really talk is when I get tipped over the edge. But they’ve been telling me to ‘Use your voice. Use your voice.’”
Considering Davis’ average salary is just short of $38 million a year, the Lakers need to get the most out of him, and that extends beyond the on-court production.
Davis hasn’t proved he can lead a team deep into the playoffs as the No. 1 option, but maybe what he’s learning in this situation can prepare him to do so.
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