Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis admitted that players will have to face a big adjustment playing behind closed doors during the NBA restart in Orlando later this July.
Davis said the absence of fans will serve as a “mental” challenge, adding it will be up to the players to provide the extra boost of energy during lapses or moments of fatigue (via Christian Rivas of SB Nation):
“Obviously we feed off Laker Nation. Home and on the road,” the Lakers superstar big man said. “Obviously it’s going to be very different not being able to have them by our side during this time, but everybody is going to deal with it. It’s going to be more of a mental thing than anything.
“If you’re coming out having a bad game there’s not going to be fans there trying to get you going. You’re going to have to, as we say on the team, ‘bring your own energy.’ We’re going to have to make sure that we do that every night, especially with no fans. I think we’re motivated as a team and self-motivated to win, but it’s definitely going to be different for all of us.”
Fortunately, the Lakers have one of the most determined and energetic leaders in sports.
LeBron James has always worn his emotion on his sleeve. While James also thrives on crowd interaction, he is a consummate professional in terms of keeping teammates engaged.
Not to mention, James and Davis will be on a mission to realize LA's championship dream. The Lakers were playing some of the best basketball in the NBA prior to the hiatus, going 8-2 after the All-Star break and notching marquee wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and crosstown rival Los Angeles Clippers.
The onus might be on the players to “bring the energy,” but James and Davis figure to keep their team focused as the Lakers head to Orlando as one of the favorites to win the NBA title.
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