Former NBA massive man DeMarcus Cousins thinks that LeBron James is the explanation Anthony Davis is dealing with elevated criticism.
There are some big benefits of enjoying with LeBron, particularly for a storied franchise just like the Lakers.
However, Cousins believes that by enjoying on the identical workforce as one of many greats like LeBron, you open your self as much as much more criticism than standard.
That’s what’s occurred with AD for the reason that pair fashioned their partnership in 2019.
“I believe it comes with the setting,” Cousins stated on Run It Again. “Clearly being teammates with one of many best to ever contact – undoubtedly on the Mount Rushmore of gamers in LeBron James – when issues go dangerous, everyone knows it’s a listing of fellows that’s gonna be blamed earlier than it will get to the very best participant on the workforce – or probably the greatest to ever play. And that’s simply the setting. On prime of that, he performs for the Lakers. They’ve a troublesome fan base.
“…You may 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 stated. “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…”
Certainly one of Davis’ greatest downfalls previously was his capability to remain wholesome, however he has performed in 65 of the Lakers’ 69 video games in 2023-24.
He has additionally been probably the greatest 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 straightforward wins and sit dangerously near the Play-In territory with their 37-32 file and .536 successful share, the criticism of AD will proceed.
READ MORE: The Celtics Participant That Isn’t Getting Sufficient Credit score: NBA Insider