Anthony Davis put up 18 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two blocks in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 113-106 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night. However, the star big-man admitted after the game that he hasn’t been happy with his performance lately.
Against the Bucks, Davis missed 10-of-18 shots and made just two-of-five free throws. Quite frankly, Davis’s assessment of his play is accurate when looking at his normal output.
“Right now, to be hard on myself, man, I think I suck right now,” Davis said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I’m not making shots. I’m not making free throws. But I think tonight my aggressiveness, just being a [post-up threat] and getting to the paint, allowed guys to get open.”
Davis has not scored more than 20 points since Jan. 10, when he notched 27 against the Houston Rockets. In his last five games, the 27-year-old is averaging 17.8 points per game.
The scoring issues haven’t necessarily been much of an issue over the last three games, though. In his last three contests, Davis is averaging six assists per game, which have led to points for the Lakers.
Still, Davis has to be better if L.A. wants to hold onto the top spot in the Western Conference. At 11-4, the Clippers and Utah Jazz aren’t far behind the Lakers, who are 12-4.
L.A. will face the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, which should be relatively easy for the team to handle. However, they take on the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics next week, teams that will pose a bigger challenge.
If Davis continues to struggle, the Lakers could quickly find themselves lower in the standings.
