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I will be the first to admit it: I had my doubts about the Los Angeles Lakers heading into the restart.
I figured the Clippers had better depth and defensive stars. I thought the Bucks would steamroll through the East with the Greek Freak taking a big step forward AFTER he won MVP last year. Heck, there was a moment there — it was Sunday, to be honest! — when I dreamed the small-ball Rockets had the chance to pull off an upset, or that the Nuggets had a chance. I told anyone who would listen they should worry about the Blazers who are now at full strength and could grab the No. 8 seed.
I worried about the Lakers’ bench with two new members — JR Smith, known for the 2018 NBA Finals Game 1 epic gaffe, and Dion Waiters — fitting in. I wondered if the time off had stopped their momentum.
Nope. I’m convinced now. And it’s because of Antonio Davis.
It’s not that we’re forgetting LeBron James here. We know what to expect from him every night — nearly triple-double numbers night to night — and as we saw in that close win over the Clips, no one is more dominant or dependable these days in the final minute.
Davis scored 34 against the Clippers and dropped 42 against the Jazz on Monday night, including a game-clinching step-back three-and-the-foul in Rudy Gobert’s face. He’s my pick for defensive player of the year because of what he does both in the paint and guarding smaller players on switches.
When’s the last time James played with a star of that caliber? It’s probably Kyrie Irving when they won as Cavs, but Davis’s defense inside and out brings an entirely different dimension that gives James a break on both ends of the floor.
The Lakers, now the No. 1 seed in the West, are no-doubt favorites. And it’s all because of The Brow.
Monday’s biggest winner: Katie Ledecky
If you haven’t watched the five-time Olympic gold medalist swim the length of a pool with a cup of chocolate milk on top of her head, you need to. She didn’t spill a drop. It’s incredible.
Quick hits: NHL players kneel, Simone Biles, Doris Burke
– Players from the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights — including Ryan Reaves, Jason Dickinson, Tyler Seguin and Robin Lehner — took a knee before their game on Monday.
– Simone Biles is now Instagram official with Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens.
– Doris Burke roasted her ex-husband during Monday’s Pelicans-Grizzlies game.