ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith brutally destroyed Anthony Davis after the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets on opening night.
Davis, who finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes, had zero points in the second half.
The Lakers lost to the Nuggets by 12 points. Davis shot 6-of-17 from the field, 1-of-2 from beyond the arc and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. He was dominated by Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, who put up 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
“They started double-teaming,” Davis said about what the Nuggets did in the second half. “They were trying to crowd the paint. I missed some easy layups around the rim and little jumpers. Just trying to make the right play, give it up to our guys. If I’m doubled, kick it out. Rui [Hachimura] had an open 3, Gabe [Vincent] had open 3s. They just didn’t fall. But I got to shoot it more.”
Davis signed a three-year, $186 million extension with the Lakers this offseason. The big man is committed to Los Angeles for five more years and approximately $270.5 million. Davis’ extension, which kicks in for the 2025-26 season, is the richest extension in NBA history with a projected average annual value of $62 million.
LeBron James is 38. He turns 39 in December and is playing in his 21st season in the NBA. The Lakers need Davis to be the leader of the team. The Chicago native can’t go scoreless in a half moving forward, especially since LeBron’s minutes will be limited to begin the season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Anthony Davis, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Davis will look to rebound from his poor showing against the Nuggets on October 26 when the Lakers host the Phoenix Suns for their home opener.
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