After trailing by 13 points early on, the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis stormed back to take a commanding 32-point lead and coast to a victory over the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
On the daily Locked On Lakers Podcast, hosts Pete Zayas (LakerFilmRoom) and Anthony Irwin discuss the Lakers' huge win in Game 1 and how Anthony Davis is inserting himself into the conversation as the best player in the NBA.
They discuss the changing dynamics surrounding Anthony Davis, whose career will take on different dimensions if the Lakers are able to win the NBA Finals.
Article Continues BelowThere is a lot to consider when appreciating what Anthony Davis did in Game 1, and how that will set up the coming (final) days in the NBA bubble.
Pete Zayas: So Miami's injuries played into the blowout, most certainly, but it was close to 30 point game. We were down by 13 to start this game because we were barely moving. The speed and severity in which they came back was staggering. We were ahead by the end of that quarter. We barely tried for the first half of that quarter and when we decided to turn it on, it really illustrated the significant discrepancy in talent between the two teams.
Anthony Irwin: The Lakers (and Anthony Davis) at one point went on a 55 to 25. Run. In the NBA Finals. That's the stuff the three-peat Lakers did against the New Jersey Nets.
Pete: Bro, we're that type of team. We didn't expect to be that type of team, but this is an all-time great team. I didn't see it coming. Here's the thing, too, that really is the foundation of that. Anthony Davis is making a good argument for the best player in the NBA, which I didn't perceive him as being in that conversation earlier when we traded for him. His ability to score a triple threat position and handle the ball In space and by a pick and pop guy. He's passing a lot out of double teams. Oh, and he's the best defensive player in the world.
So, Anthony Davis has at least inserted himself into that conversation of who's the absolute best player in the world.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3W9vfbnwL6gKYiCXsxskEK