The Los Angeles Lakers lost another game against the Denver Nuggets yesterday with 118-129. The Lakers were previously considered one of the greatest teams to undoubtedly enter the playoffs. Unfortunately, they are struggling now. With many injury reports, the team faces an uncertain situation where they might be kicked off the offseason contenders list.
Recently, the team has been struck by injuries coming from one of their best players. Aside from LeBron James who had an ankle injury and missed a game against Utah Jazz on Friday, there is also Anthony Davis. The 29-year-old has had several injuries throughout his career. His love for his team always successfully made him able to return back to fight for his team.
Despite the former NBA champion’s effort to win, he received criticism for his absence even though it was uncontrollable for him to be injured.
AD lashes back at critics
The eight-time NBA All-Star averaged 23.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals. Having only 39 games played during the 2021 season, the NBA All-Star Game MVP has been with a load of critics. After months of ignoring it, Frank Vogel’s man finally retaliated.
“When I play, it’s a problem. It’s a problem when I don’t play,” claimed a frustrated Davis on an interview with Los Angeles Times. “At the end of the day, I’ve got to do what’s best for me and how my body feels. And we go from there.”
Hoping that whoever criticizes him could have understood better, it seems that not all people understand what an NBA player has to go through when injured.
“I’m not worried about who’s saying what or who thinks this about me because none of them have stepped on the floor and played. And the ones that did play, they should understand.” He continued, “These aren’t little ticky-tack injuries.”
What AD learnt
In just the second game back from injuring his right ankle, Davis had to play in considerable discomfort in an effort to get the Lakers to the final spot before the playoffs.
“At this point, I know what we’re playing for,” Davis said. “If I’ve got to go through this pain — hopefully it’s not the last four games, hopefully it’s more — then, so be it. I know that, me, myself and my team, know I left it out on the floor. Just like I did in the playoffs last year as well. Give myself a chance — and help give our team chance,” said Davis post-game against Denver.
During the losing game against the Nuggets, Davis played for 35 minutes hitting 28 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. In the four-time All-NBA First Team first game after the injury against the Pelicans, he scored 23 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.
“I’m not going to sit down and quit if I feel like I can at least get out there. If I’m 60%, 70%, whatever, I think my 70% is better than a lot of guys’ 100%. I want to help the team.”
Trolled by online and TV analysts, Davis fired back at critics on Sunday in a one-on-one interview with The Times.
“This is what I’ve learned about injuries: Last year when I wasn’t playing, people were saying ‘AD’s giving up on his team. It’s the playoffs. AD has to play. He’s got to play.’ And when I went out there to play, got hurt again, they said, ‘Who was his trainer? Who let him play?’