The Los Angeles Lakers’ season-opening victory towards the Minnesota Timberwolves etched its place in NBA historical past.
Whereas LeBron James and Bronny James made headlines as the primary father-son duo to take the courtroom as teammates, Anthony Davis stole the present with a masterful efficiency towards final season’s Western Convention runners-up.
Davis’ dominance caught the eye of Lakers legend Michael Cooper, who mentioned he believes the large man is able to inherit the management mantle from LeBron James.
“I feel he’s able to take over,” Cooper mentioned, by way of SiriusXM NBA Radio. “However once more, basketball is about staff, and I feel A.D. advantages off of LeBron’s capability to nonetheless be on the market, learn his capability to get higher. However once more, he’s gonna have to face up and share that greater load.”
“[Anthony Davis] is a good participant and he confirmed that final evening” @HoopHall @ShowtimeCooper reacts to Davis’ double-double in Lakers win over TWolves final evening @TermineRadio | @JumpShot8 pic.twitter.com/4EvnQUmn7L
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 23, 2024
The Corridor of Famer pointed to Davis’ improved sturdiness, enjoying a career-high 68 video games final season.
Cooper additionally emphasised that true management calls for consistency and reliability evening after evening.
“So, he received’t have the luxurious of lacking a few video games, as a result of if he misses then they gonna miss that 32 factors, 16 rebounds and no person on the staff can fill that void for him,” Cooper mentioned.
“He’s undoubtedly prepared. I feel LeBron did a good way of this sort of flowing certainly getting them in there, however A.D. is a good participant. And he confirmed that final evening.”
Davis posted a formidable stat line of 36 factors, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and three blocked pictures.
His continued excellence shall be essential for the Lakers’ pursuit of their 18th NBA championship, particularly in a Western Convention loaded with contenders.
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