LeBron James and Anthony Davis may have lost game 2 at Chase Center. However, considering that they were able to steal a win on the road, this trip was a massive win for the Lakers. Still, the way they lost in Game 2 hardly inspired a whole lot of confidence. After all, this match might as well have been settled by the end third quarter, with the Purple and Gold facing a 30-point deficit at the time. So, as you’d expect, there were questions on LA’s defense, and if it is good enough to even compete with the Warriors’ offense. And put those questions to bed, James and Davis made quite the statement about the future of this rollercoaster of a series.
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LeBron James and Anthony Davis maintain that the Lakers’ defense is the best in the NBA
It wasn’t that the Lakers played bad defense during Game 2. Au contraire, we’d even go as far as to say they played relatively well on that end. However, the team couldn’t match their own defensive intensity from Game 1. And once you combine that with just about every Warriors man showing up to play tonight, and you have a flimsy fence trying to field off an avalanche.
The way things played out would’ve been beyond enough to demoralize even the best players across the NBA’s history. However, it appears that LeBron James and Anthony Davis aren’t much bothered by it. Instead, here is the statement they delivered on the matter, as you can see in Spectrum SportsNet’s tweet below.
“We’re still the best defensive team in the league if not one of them.” @KingJames isn’t worried about the #Lakers‘ defense being able to contain the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/OmVwyNq2CK
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) May 5, 2023
LeBron James: “They made their adjustments. We knew they were going to do that. That’s what a championship team does. They held… on their home court tonight. We gotta obviously see the adjustments they made, we gotta make out adjustments coming into game 3.”
Anthony Davis on how Draymond Green affected him) “I don’t think (he affected me too much) so. I was taking the same shots I did in Game 1. Just missing them. Elbow jumpers. Pocket pass to the floater. Same exact looks. Didn’t shoot no shot I didn’t shoot in Game 1. Just missed ‘em.”
LeBron James on the Lakers’ defense being the best: “We still are (the best defensive team in the NBA). That doesn’t change. We’re still the best defensive team in the league if not one of them. So that doesn’t change, that’s where we hang our hats. But like I said, you need to give credit where credit is due. Klay (Thompson) spectacular night. Draymond (Green) was great in the pocket pass, in the rolls, in the things of that nature…”
LeBron James and Anthony Davis both seem very sure of themselves and their team’s ability to compete at a high level. Still, only the upcoming Game 3 can answer all the questions levied against this team.
What did LeBron James and Anthony Davis record in Game 2 against the Golden State Warriors?
As per StatMuse, In 28 minutes, LeBron James recorded 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. He shot 10 of 18 from the field (55.6%), and 3 of 8 from beyond the arc (37.5%).
On Anthony Davis’s end, In 33 minutes, he scored 11 points to pair with 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks in the game. He shot 5 of 11 from the field (45.5%), and 1 of 1 from the free-throw line.
