As an injured Anthony Davis played Game 6 against the Phoenix Suns, the Lakers big man sends out a bold message to his criticisers.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have had a fairly odd season, to say the least. The defending champions went from being one of the strongest title contenders to barely even making it into the playoffs.
Of course, injuries were one of the major problem-givers for the Los Angeles Lakers team. They were without the like of their megastars Anthony Davis and LeBron James for 36 and 27 games each.
Despite starting out the season strong, because of the injuries and health and safety protocols, they found themselves tumbling down in the standings.
Posting a 42-30 record, fighting their way and defeating the Golden State Warriors in the newly-added controversial play-in tournament, is what helped LAL clinch the 7th seed of the West. Unfortunately for Bron and his boys, they got to face the wrath of a young and in-form Phoenix Suns team led by veteran guard Chris Paul.
Also Read: Charles Barkley expresses concerns over Lakers star’s chronic injury issues after Suns win Game 6
“I don’t need to prove anything to anyone that’s not associated with the Lakers organization”: Anthony Davis
Clearly, the Lakers couldn’t count on their injuries stars to win them their first-round playoffs matchup. Much to their surprise, the inexperienced Phoenix team eliminated LeBron James from the first round of the playoffs for the first time in his 18-year career, after clinching the series 4-2.
Credits for valiant efforts have to be given to AD, who decided to hold it together and at least try to play through a groin injury. Even though it was only 5 minutes that the Brow took the court, it surely displayed his will to win.
However, many fans and analysts have been criticizing the 6-foot-10 forward for the same. In his final postgame interview of the 2020-2021 season, Davis sent out a bold message to all of his critics:
“I don’t have to prove nothing to anyone. I’m not going to prove anything to anyone. It doesn’t matter to me. The things that everybody are saying? It comes with the territory.”
“When you’re a player of my calibre, guys expect things from you and are going to say things about you. Whatever their reason is, it’s my job to be on the floor.”
“I know what I go through and what I play through and what my body goes through. The front office and coaching staff know. So I don’t need to prove anything to anyone that’s outside of this Lakers organization.”
Also Read: Jae Crowder taunts the Lakers’ Finals MVP after sealing the series win over the defending champions
After their first-round disappointment, LBJ and AD, both, will have quite some time to work on their injuries before preparing for the new season. Until these two Hall-Of-Fame calibre players are on the same team, the Lakers will continue to remain championship contenders.
