LA Lakers News Roundup: Dwight Howard calls 2021-22 season with Purple and Gold embarrassing, Anthony Davis has been playing through a back injury, and more
Dwight Howard felt his stint last season with the LA Lakers was embarrassing. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year wasn’t much of a factor as the star-studded team imploded.
Anthony Davis, after the win against the Denver Nuggets, admits he’s playing through a nagging back injury. AD has already missed one game this season after experiencing tightness in his back.
LeBron James reacted after surpassing Karl Malone for the most 20-point games in NBA history. The four-time MVP posted on Instagram “Not bad for a pass-first guy!” after scoring 28 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Dwight Howard described his experience with the 2021-22 LA Lakers as embarrassing
Last season’s LA Lakers had several former and current All-Stars in their lineup. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony were part of a star-studded team that miserably failed.
The Lakers were regularly outplayed by teams who don’t have as many stars but play hard as a team. LA didn’t even win back-to-back games for more than three months, which highlighted how badly they struggled.
During an interview with Shannon Sharpe, the three-time defensive player of the year didn’t mince his words describing his LA Lakers experience last season:
“Every team was gunning for us and they gave us their best shot every night. We didn’t get the job done. And it sucked. It left a bad taste in my mouth all summer. I probably spit 10 million times just thinking about how bad we lost and how much time was put into that season. … I really felt like it was embarrassing.
“We still had who we had and we still should have been better. So, I take my part in it. I could have been a lot better. Whatever they needed me to be. But it did not end well last year and it really was an embarrassment. Some days I was like, ‘Man, we shouldn’t even put on this jersey like this.'”
"We didn't get the job done and it sucked. It left a bad taste in my mouth all summer. I probably spit ten million times just thinking about how bad we lost… I really felt like it was embarrassing."
Dwight Howard on his last season with the Lakers
https://t.co/NNBu0LWQDN
Anthony Davis is playing through pain due to a back injury
The player some fans call “Street Clothes” is playing through pain caused by a nagging back injury. After the LA Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets to win their first game of the season, Anthony Davis spoke to the media about his status:
"You saw on the put back [there was some discomfort], it comes and goes, like these little shocks. ... At that point it's like, you're playing off adrenaline.
"So I know tonight [I'm okay], maybe tomorrow, I'm probably going to feel it more. But it's all manageable. Just trying to do what I can to make sure I'm on the floor to help the team win."
Anthony Davis said he's playing with pain but it's manageable. https://t.co/9paYOcdnV3
Anthony Davis has already missed one game this season for the same reason. He has looked uncomfortable in the games that he has been playing, so there’s a legitimate reason for Laker fans to worry.
AD has only played 76 games in the past two seasons with the LA Lakers, which is why he told the media that his goal was to play all 82 games. If that bothersome back refuses to heal, the team may have to sideline him for longer than they can afford.
The LA Lakers’ season hinges on Anthony Davis’ health. If he can’t play more than 65 games this season, the Lakers may embarrassingly miss the playoffs again.
LeBron James reacts after surpassing Karl Malone for most 20-point games in NBA history
LeBron James scored 28 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves to topple Karl Malone for the most 20-point games in NBA history. Following the game, the four-time MVP posted a message on his Instagram:
"Not bad for a pass-first guy! #ThekidfromAKRON"
In his 20th year, LeBron James continues to play great for the LA Lakers. He is currently averaging 25.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.5 steals. James has looked like the Lakers’ best player yet again despite being the team’s oldest player.
LeBron James has always prided himself on being a pass-first player who tries to keep his teammates going. Despite that mentality, the consistency of his scoring has just been incredible. No one has averaged 25 points in a season more than him, which is a big reason why he’s marching his way to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record.
If he’s healthy, most basketball experts predict he’d be the NBA’ all-time scoring king by January. If that happens, he will overtake someone who has held the record for nearly 40 years.
The LA Lakers’ franchise player is also moving up the assists ladder. He could pass Magic Johnson and Mark Jackson to break into the top five all-time assists leaders.