Alexander: When Anthony Davis does it, Lakers can be devastating

< img alt=" The Lakers' Anthony Davis, center, fires up the fans throughout ... "class =" lazyload size-article_inline" data-sizes=" automobile" data-src=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119167696733-1-2.jpg?w=620" data-srcset =" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119167696733-1-2.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119167696733-1-2.jpg?w=780 780w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119167696733-1-2.jpg?w=810 810w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119167696733-1-2.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119167696733-1-2.jpg?w=1860 1860w "> The Lakers 'Anthony Davis, center, fires up the fans
during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.( AP Photo/Jae C. Hong). < img alt=" Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, obstructs a shot attempt by ..." class=" lazyload size-article_inline" data-sizes=" car" data-src=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-20-3.jpg?w=620" data-srcset=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-20-3.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-20-3.jpg?w=780 780w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-20-3.jpg?w=810 810w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-20-3.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-20-3.jpg?w=1860 1860w" > Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, blocks a shot effort by the Memphis Grizzlies' Santi Aldama during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.( Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG ). Lakers forward Anthony Davis takes a shot as the Memphis Grizzlies' Santi Aldama protects during the very first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images). < img alt=" Lakers forwards LeBron James, right, and Anthony Davis defend as ..." class =" lazyload size-article_inline"

data-sizes=" automobile" data-src=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119150022036-3.jpg?w=620" data-srcset=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119150022036-3.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119150022036-3.jpg?w=780 780w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119150022036-3.jpg?w=810 810w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119150022036-3.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119150022036-3.jpg?w=1860 1860w" > Lakers forwards LeBron James, right, and Anthony Davis safeguard as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant manages the ball throughout the very first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong ). < img alt =" Lakers star Anthony Davis looks for a shot as the ..." class= "lazyload size-article_inline" data-sizes= "car" data-src=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-9-3.jpg?w=620" data-srcset=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-9-3.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-9-3.jpg?w=780 780w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-9-3.jpg?w=810 810w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-9-3.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-9-3.jpg?w=1860 1860w" > Lakers star Anthony Davis tries to find a shot as the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. safeguards throughout the first quarter
of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.( Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). Lakers forward Anthony Davis soaks over the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr.( 13) throughout the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff
series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong). Lakers forward Anthony Davis commemorates his dunk as the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. falls to the court during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.( AP Photo/Jae C. Hong). The Lakers' Anthony Davis, left, LeBron James, center, and Austin Reaves celebrate throughout the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at
Crypto.com Arena.( Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). < img alt =" Lakers star Anthony Davis obstructs a shot effort by Memphis ... "class =" lazyload size-article_inline "data-sizes=" auto" data-src=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-3-3.jpg?w=620" data-srcset=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-3-3.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-3-3.jpg?w=780 780w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-3-3.jpg?w=810 810w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-3-3.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/LDN-L-LAKERS-0429-DC-3-3.jpg?w=1860 1860w" > Lakers star Anthony Davis obstructs a shot attempt by Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant from behind throughout the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.( Photo by David Crane
, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG ). Lakers star Anthony Davis helps on a basket by D'Angelo Russell throughout the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series versus the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.( Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). < img alt=" Lakers star Anthony Davis, right, conjectures as the ..." class=" lazyload size-article_inline "data-sizes= "auto "data-src=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1486199169-2.jpg?w=620" data-srcset =" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1486199169-2.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1486199169-2.jpg?w=780 780w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1486199169-2.jpg?w=810 810w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1486199169-2.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1486199169-2.jpg?w=1860 1860w" > Lakers star Anthony Davis, right, takes a shot as the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. defends during the very first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.( Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images). < img alt=" Lakers stars LeBron James, left, and Anthony
Davis respond from ..." class=" lazyload size-article_inline "data-sizes=" automobile" data-src=" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119193337219-3.jpg?w=620 "data-srcset =" https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119193337219-3.jpg?w=620 620w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119193337219-3.jpg?w=780 780w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119193337219-3.jpg?w=810 810w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119193337219-3.jpg?w=1280 1280w, https://www.pressenterprise.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AP23119193337219-3.jpg?w=1860 1860w" > Lakers stars LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis react from the bench after a teammate made a 3-point shot during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.( AP Photo/Jae C. Hong). Show Caption of. Expand. LOS ANGELES
-- Nights like Friday illustrate why the Lakers sent a lot in gamers and draft capital to the New Orleans Pelicans in the summer season of 2019 to bring Anthony Davis here. When Davis is at his best, a scoring, rebounding, rim-protecting force, the Lakers can be a championship-caliber group. Friday night's series-clinching 125-85
Game 6 destruction of the Memphis Grizzlies was a prime example of his effect. When Davis isn't able to play, it's likewise a suggestion of why Lakers fans get so annoyed. A healthy Davis is quickly among the game's leading 10 players and possibly top 5. Think about: In the very first half alone Friday night he had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in 19:34 as the Lakers raced to a 59-42 intermission lead. He completed with 16 points, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks and a minimum of as many transformed shot efforts by the Grizzlies. He was all over the floor defensively, and possibly the piece de resistance was a third quarter play when Davis hustled to conserve a

loose ball, deflected it off of a Memphis gamer and out of bounds, got a standing ovation and chants of" A.D … A.D. … A.D. … "from another stimulated house crowd, and acknowledged the roars. By then, the score was 89-59 Lakers, throughout a 41-point quarter that buried the Grizzlies and sent his group speeding towards a second-round match start Tuesday at either Golden State or Sacramento, depending on who wins Sunday's Game 7 in that series. But the overall point: When Davis is so active and efficient, these Lakers are … an extremely …excellent team and rather most likely champion quality. When the Lakers

struggled in this series, typically it was while Davis was on the bench. Friday night he just played 28:29, but it was a devastating enough 28:29 that he might remain the last 3 1/2 minutes of the 3rd quarter and all of the fourth." I got here probably about 3:10," for a set up 7:30 tipoff, Coach Darvin Ham said." Bron( LeBron James) was currently here, and' A' was here soon after. Simply that focus, those people being all set to go. I can't say enough about those 2, Bron's management and A.D. wanting to be elite
, telling me verbally he's going to be elite defensively this series. "…( Davis) was the main driver. He and Bron were speaking with individuals, talking with Dennis (Schröder ), Austin

( Reaves ), Vando( Jarred Vanderbilt). The interaction was at an elite level. ". Schröder called Davis" the protective gamer of the year in our eyes. "D'Angelo Russell stressed the reality that Davis does not need to score to be valuable. And James, whose lobbying assisted get A.D. to L.A. in the first location, put it in this manner:.

"… I believe we all understand, the world knows, the basketball men know, the competition understands, how dominant A.D. is defensively. He was A.D. He

was spectacular. ". In addition to trying to dominate defensively, with what he called" my energy and effort and an existence at the rim," Davis said he has actually attempted to be more of a singing leader. Schröder said that from his first Lakers stint in 2020-21 to now, he saw Davis has established a more assertive, more effective voice." I try to grow leadership-wise every year, "Davis said. "I understand my voice is really important in the

locker space, along with Bron's. … I talk to 'em. People pertain to me all the time asking questions: What do I want on the floor? What do I see? And I just try to take a step every year, particularly when we enter into the postseason, to speak with the men and let my voice be heard.". Another sign of progress: Maintaining that constant defensive presence, even when the offending video game might not exist on a given night." Just keep going," stated Davis, who had 26 blocks in the six-game series. "You understand, you're not going to have a game that you like each time you step on the flooring. However having fun with that energy, you can control. And I just attempt to manage the important things I can control. And that's playing hard, playing a lot of energy, defense. I can't
control the ball( to) enter the basket each time. On the protective end I can, I believe, manage, you know, a lot of things. And that kind of just fuels the

offense." So no matter what I'm doing, I want to have the ability to leave a mark on the game defensively and that can sort of fuel my offensive game and the group's offending video game, and also sustain the protective end for us as a collective. So you know, I just (think) next play mindset and just keep going and keep playing and the rest will look after itself.". There is a subtlety here. Among Ham's mantras is" next play mentality," flushing the last one and concentrating on what's in front of you.

Davis gets it, for sure. LeBron James( 22 PTS, 6 AST )and Anthony Davis (16 PTS, 14 REB, 5 BLK) get it done in the Game 6 win! Anthony Davis speaks on the garbage talking this series and the identity of this team
.