“LeBron James is not their key to success”: Rasheed Wallace reveals which Lakers superstar will be most instrumental to their title chances

Rasheed Wallace says that Anthony Davis, not LeBron James, is the most pivotal piece for the Lakers to repeat as NBA champions. 

The Los Angeles Lakers were surrounded by a cloud of mystery when regarding what they would look like without their two best players in Anthony Davis and LeBron James, both of whom have been sidelined for 16 games now due to injury. 

The Lakers have successfully treaded water in their absences as they now boast a record of 8-8, following an OT victory over the shorthanded Utah Jazz.

This has kept them firm in their place as the 5th seed in the Western Conference, well above the dreaded play-in tournament. 

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However, though LA has been playing decent without Anthony Davis and LeBron James, they do not possess nearly the amount of firepower required to be a contender in the Playoffs with them sidelined. Rasheed Wallace breaks down who the Lakers must value most when it comes down to the postseason. 

Rasheed Wallace believes Anthony Davis, not LeBron James is the Lakers’ most pivotal piece 

Rasheed Wallace took to ESPN’s First Take to talk about the Los Angeles Lakers and who he believes is the most important player on their roster. 

“I think Anthony Davis is the pivotal piece for the Lakers. No disrespect to Bron and the other guys out there, but AD seems to me as that pivotal piece for the Lakers to repeat.”

“Of course he has to stay healthy. It’s going to be hard. I’m saying it’s going to be a cakewalk for them even when AD comes back. You said, you’ve got Phoenix, you’ve got Utah, and you’ve got Portland. It’s definitely going to be a race.” 

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Anthony Davis brings a skillset to the table that perhaps no other player in the Western Conference has. He has the perfect balance of offense and defense, and it showed in the 2020 Playoffs in the Bubble.

He’s a legit 3-level scorer who can take it to the rim, post up in the midrange, and pick ‘n’ pop for 3. Not to mention that he’s been a potential DPOY candidate for years now, locking down the paint while also being able to switch onto guards on the perimeter.

It’s debatable on who’s more important to the Lakers: LeBron James or Anthony Davis, but the fact that that sort of a debate even exists should make the Lakers favorites to come out of the West.