With LeBron James sidelined for the time being, the Lakers have needed a hero to step up in his absence in a tight Western Conference playoff race. (Never mind James’ critical commentary while watching from afar.)
That’s been Anthony Davis thus far, who has started to play at an elite level again.
After dropping 30 points and 22 rebounds on the Memphis Grizzlies in a 112-103 win, Davis has been on an absolute tear. Since coming back from the All-Star Break, Davis has five games of at least 28 points, and he’s recorded 81 rebounds in six games (a 13.5 average).
As Davis leads the Lakers and potentially keeps them afloat long enough for James to carry them to the finish line later this month, head coach Darvin Ham shared that he had a nickname for the forward.
It was fitting, yes, but it was also so, so corny:
Mike Trudell: “Your thoughts on Davis tonight?”
Darvin Ham: “Wilt?”
Trudell: “Davis”
Ham: “Wilt”
Trudell: “Who?”
Ham: “That’s my nickname for him, Wilt Davis”Another 30-point, 20-rebound effort for Anthony “Wilt” Davis has the Lakers feeling good, apparently.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 8, 2023
Get it? Because Davis is stuffing the stat sheet like big-man great Wilt Chamberlain once did? Ha … ha.
In all seriousness, the ninth-seeded Lakers will need Davis to continue channeling Chamberlain. Their next six games feature games against just two teams with winning records — the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. That seems like a prime opportunity for him to continue dominating.
Who knows? Maybe Davis’ ongoing heroics will be enough for James and Co. to sneak into the Western Conference postseason.