The Los Angeles Lakers took on the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night without LeBron James. While it was just one game missed due to a sore left knee, it offered a preview into a future wherein the four-time NBA champion no longer dons the purple and gold.
Without LeBron James in the lineup, it was Anthony Davis who became the focal point of the Lakers attack. The big man, in just his second game back, dropped 31 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks to lead his side in a 105-87 loss. During the postgame press conference, AD revealed that he wasn't aware that LeBron wasn't going to play until the last minute, but stayed ready to pick up the slack.
“I found out when I literally got to the arena. Coach told me that Bron's not playing. It's kind of been a thing all year though, even going back to last year with me and him swapping in and out of the lineup so nothing that we're not used to.”
Asked about LeBron James sitting out as a precursor to a Lakers future without him, Davis was candid about how he relishes those opportunities for the current season but it's a different story when the inevitable day comes that King James decides to hang it up.
“When that time comes when LeBron retires, we'll examine and look at the team from there and make adjustments. It's definitely given us something to look forward to for the future. I know LeBron loves the game. I know it'll be very tough for him to walk away. He's going to try to play for as long as he can.”
LeBron James, as the NBA world shouts nonstop, is already 37 years old and yet is still playing like a top 5 player in the NBA. There's a definite date wherein he'll decide to retire, but by the looks of things it won't be for a long while. The prospect of adding to his legacy is probably far too irresistible.
However, when that day comes Anthony Davis is the heir to the Lakers throne. It may seem pretty far into the future right now, but Thursday offered us a glimpse of what it will be like, hopefully sans the final result.
AD saw the chance to play without LeBron for one night as a measuring stick – and by the final score, there's still a lot to improve on.
“It sucks not having him, but it gives us also a chance to see what we got as well without him. The same thing when I was out. We definitely want to take advantage of these moments as much as we can.”
For now, though Lakers fans can enjoy their two biggest stars both back and relatively healthy as they try to trudge their way back up the standings amid a tumultuous season.
There are no more excuses and much less margin for error this late into the season. There will certainly be a future without LeBron James, but Anthony Davis and the rest of the Lakers have their sights set on the now.
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