Is Anthony Davis following in the footsteps of Shaquille O'Neal at the Lakers?
30 points, 23 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks: Anthony Davis delivered a powerhouse of a performance in the first game of the series for the Lakers against the Warriors in the Western Conference semi-finals.
In this California derby, the Oakland franchise lost home-court advantage from the start. Because when "AD" is in the zone, it is impossible to get him out of it - he is a phenomenal point scorer as well as a prolific rebounder. He is starting to remind everyone of a certain Shaquille O'Neal - the emperor of the "big guys".
Shaq without equal
Shaq is without equal in the 21st century, if not in the entire history of the NBA. A monster of consistency, able to get along with his teammates and also rival Kobe Bryant, he has, beyond his 4 championship rings (3-peat with the Lakers from 2000 to 2002, Miami in 2006), put up some truly surreal statistics.
In 2000, the season in which he was crowned MVP, in 79 regular season games and an average of 40 minutes on the floor, he finished with an average of 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3 blocks. In the playoffs, in 23 games, he averaged 30.7 points, 15.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 blocks. Until his first season with the Heat in 2004-05, when he was 33 years old, he always averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds in a full regular season (73 games).
To compare the two players, the issue of load management shines on Anthony Davis' situation.
If he doesn't get enough rest, his body isn't in shape to perform at its peak. But if he doesn't play, the Lakers' potential plummets to unimaginable levels.
Injury-prone, Davis has played just two regular 75-game seasons with the Pelicans (2016-2017 and 2017-2018). With the Lakers, in the title year of 2020, he had a peak of 62 games with an average of 34.4 minutes on the floor.
Coach Darvin Ham's goal has been to prepare his player, whom he nicknamed "Wilt Davis" in reference to Wilt Chamberlain, for the playoffs. And as a result, his Game 1 against the Warriors was monstrous.
Word to the ADefense
But his series against the Grizzlies sometimes left observers wanting more. It is true that he was dominant when it came to rebounds and he did have some great games. It's true that he had to deal with Jaren Jackson Jr, Defensive Player Of the Year. But if his stats are honourable (6 games, 20.8 points, 13.7 rebounds, 2 assists, 4.3 contests) the memory of his game 2 at 4/14 shooting or game 4 at 4/13 remains vivid.
But this series against the Warriors was a great opportunity for the team to showcase their talent to the world. And AD showcased just how good he is in the paint.
There is no doubt that AD can replicate his 30/20 every game. Golden State don't have anyone who can stop him due to the lack of height in their side. But as the saying goes, "offence wins games, but defence wins titles". And it is on this point that the Lakers built their title-winning side in 2020.
To be convinced of this, let's go back to the final they won 4-2 against the Miami Heat. Four victories, and in three of them, the Floridians had been kept under 100 points.
And this will be vital in this series, as everyone knows the offensive power of the Warriors. But it is also a chance for Anthony Davis to star.
Indeed, for the past five years, it is the Big Men who have won the MVP title. Whether it's Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, on his own two feet, is one of those guys. The dominant and unstoppable interior.
In 2020, during the Playoffs, he left the light to the King. But today, he must be the King. Taking down the Warriors would be a first step to taking that crown.
The Lakers' success no longer rests on LeBron, it rests on AD. Just as it rested on Shaq in the early 2000s. Soon, we might really be able to make comparisons between the pair.
