Former NBA huge man DeMarcus Cousins thinks that LeBron James is the rationale Anthony Davis is dealing with elevated criticism.
There are some enormous benefits of enjoying with LeBron, particularly for a storied franchise just like the Lakers.
However, Cousins believes that by enjoying on the identical crew as one of many greats like LeBron, you open your self as much as much more criticism than common.
That’s what’s occurred with AD for the reason that pair fashioned their partnership in 2019.
“I believe it comes with the atmosphere,” Cousins mentioned on Run It Again. “Clearly being teammates with one of many biggest to ever contact – undoubtedly on the Mount Rushmore of gamers in LeBron James – when issues go unhealthy, everyone knows it’s an inventory of men that’s gonna be blamed earlier than it will get to the perfect participant on the crew – or among the best to ever play. And that’s simply the atmosphere. On high of that, he performs for the Lakers. They’ve a tricky fan base.
“…You’ll be able to common 25 and 12 and it nonetheless not be sufficient,” Cousins continued. “That’s not sufficient. It’s championship or bust regardless of the season, regardless of the time,” Cousins mentioned. “That’s simply the territory that comes with being a teammate of LeBron James, as a result of greatness all the time comes with him, and the identical factor goes with being a Laker. So, I believe that performs an enormous half within the criticism he (Davis) receives…”
Considered one of Davis’ greatest downfalls previously was his means to remain wholesome, however he has performed in 65 of the Lakers’ 69 video games in 2023-24.
He has additionally been among the best defenders within the league and is ranked fifth within the NBA for variety of blocks (2.4) per recreation and is ranked third within the league for rebounds (12.3) per recreation.
However, so long as the Lakers proceed to drop simple wins and sit dangerously near the Play-In territory with their 37-32 document and .536 successful share, the criticism of AD will proceed.
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