Alexander: Cool Down, Laker fans ... this series is just starting

LOS ANGELES-- Even the most devoted of the diehards, those most strident disciples of Laker Exceptionalism, needed to be stressed after Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals on Thursday night in San Francisco.

The Golden State Warriors had reasserted themselves decisively in a 27-point triumph, and Anthony Davis had actually gone from Game 1 hero to Game 2 no. And even with the natural overreaction that occurs after each video game of a best-of-seven series, I think there was some sneaking doubt, even if it was simply a little bit, regarding whether the Lakers might overcome the Warriors' champion DNA.

Here, then, is your day-to-day tip at playoff time: Do. Not. Overreact.

The Lakers' 127-97 thrashing of the Warriors in Game 3 on Saturday night must relieve the nerves of the faithful a minimum of till Monday night at 7 p.m., when Game 4 pointers off. It's Warriors fans' rely on question and worry which is more of an indication, their heroes' 11-30 roadway record throughout the regular season or their Game 5 and Game 7 wins in Sacramento in the last series.

You can presume both teams, both fan bases and everybody covering this series will be whipsawed back and forth as it goes on, likely all the way through a Game 7 next Sunday in San Francisco.

Along the method, I believe this has ended up being crystal clear: LeBron James is the Lakers' headliner, and will stay so as long as he's here, but this is Anthony Davis' group. It goes as he goes. If he's healthy, engaged and hasn't been neutralized-- or a minimum of annoyed into submission by a wise protective plan, as held true in Game 2-- the Lakers can compete with any person.

Saturday night Davis morphed from no back to hero. In a little over 33 minutes he had 25 points, on 7-for-10 shooting and an 11-for-12 effort from the nasty line, with 13 rebounds, three steals and 4 blocked shots. This was with the Warriors starting with a similar strategy as Game 3, going small with JaMychal Green in the beginning lineup over Kevon Looney and Draymond Green designated mostly to Davis.

Just 4 1/2 minutes into the video game, in truth, Davis went to the rim and Draymond Green reacted with a hard foul, which was evaluated however not ruled ostentatious. Later, Moses Moody got Davis' ankle as the huge man was stepping over him after obstructing his shot. That was ruled an ostentatious, despite the fact that it appeared more out of frustration than malice.

Didn't matter. Davis was engaged from the beginning, and when he is, the defense that has actually become the Lakers' calling card is a beast.

" I indicate, he's the driver," head coach Darvin Ham stated. "He's the anchor male. His activity, when he's obstructing shots, altering shots, it's fantastic. And, you know, he's secured to the T, and truly communicating with the coaches-- (about) protections, being aware of who's on the court, who's in the game for them, what are we doing? How are we protecting this action? How we protecting that action? And simply his awareness.

" The ball gets driven, you understand, we do not want to simply take away the 3 line. And he's done an incredible job, just whenever he's out there, not simply against this team but just in general, just the way he commands the paint defensively and he's able to step up, change out on the border and just force men into difficult shots and uncomfortable positions."

He might not constantly assembled a 30-20 night, as he performed in Game 1 in San Francisco on Tuesday night. And he might irritate those-- and you understand you're out there-- who see a 6-foot-10 specimen and expect him to control in the post the way Wilt or Kareem or Shaq used to do. Various period, different video game, various expectations for huge males.

It is safe to state, then that for all of the stars and all of the skill in this series, and even with all of the 3-point firepower the Warriors possess, the result of this series will depend upon Davis. If he has four dominant games, the Lakers will advance. If the Warriors can neutralize him, or if he (shudder) gets hurt once again, they won't.

And keep in mind that Davis is frequently on the Lakers' injury report with a "best foot tension injury," simply as James is noted nighttime with "best foot discomfort." As long as they're ambulatory, you can presume they're playing.

However this is no place for recency bias.

In Game 1 the Lakers had a 29-6 advantage in free toss efforts and the Warriors hoisted 53 3-pointers, making 21. In Game 2 the Lakers had only one more totally free throw effort than Golden State, while the Warriors once again made 21 3-pointers and won disappearing. In Game 3 the Warriors were 1 for 11 from the field throughout a third-quarter stretch when the Lakers started to broaden their lead, and went dry once again for another three-minute stretch at the end of the quarter when the Lakers boosted their lead from 10 to 20.

( Oh, and the Lakers shot 37 complimentary tosses to Golden State's 17. I'm sure that's a point of contention among Warriors fans who seem to have actually ended up being instant conspiracy theorists, and never ever mind that even if the NBA did manage these things-- which it doesn't-- they would not be attempting to pipe among the league's most popular groups.).

What does all of it mean? Absolutely nothing when the ball goes up Monday night.

jalexander@scng.com.