LeBron James was crucial in the Lakers' Game 4 win on Monday, dropping 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists on 40% shooting. But it was Anthony Davis who shined, especially on defense where he made his impact most known.
In 43 minutes, Davis put up 23 points and 15 rebounds to go along with his amazing work defensively, After the buzzer, LeBron James went so far as to call him the best defensive player in the league.
"He's the best defensive player in the league. I think the league knows it as well. There are not many guys that can protect the rim at all costs and also switch out on point guards, switch out on guys like Steph, Step is a hell of a player and had a hell of game, I think he even had a triple-double. But we trust AD guarding anybody in this league and he showed that."
Davis accepted the toughest defensive assignments all night long, including down the stretch of the game against Stephen Curry himself. Unsurprisingly, AD held his own and it's that defensive edge that appears to be giving the Lakers the upper hand in this series, just like it did against the Grizzlies.
The Lakers shouldn't get complacent and allow the Warriors to storm back from this 1-3 deficit, but it's unlikely that LeBron and AD will let it get that far. As long as they are healthy, they have proven to be impossible to stop and that was the case again on Monday night.
Even if they do end up getting past the Warriors, however, the path ahead doesn't get any easier for the Purple and Gold, and LeBron is doing his best to keep his teammates even-keel.
"Just don't get comfortable," James said after Game 3. "We don't have the luxury to get comfortable versus a Golden State team. As long as we stay uncomfortable knowing that they can run off three straight versus us or whatever they want to if we get comfortable. So, it's about maintaining our habits, understanding that this team is very dangerous, and never get comfortable when you hit the floor with these guys."
LeBron knows more than anyone that the Lakers cannot let their foot off the gas, and AD has to continue to bring the intensity and aggressiveness ha carried tonight.
If he can be the best defender in basketball, then it might be all the Lakers need to re-take their place at the top.
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