“NBA: Anthony Davis’ Health Vital for LA Lakers After Strong Summer” – Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford

The LA Lakers faced a harsh sweep in the NBA Western Conference Finals at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, who later triumphed over Miami in the finals. However, five-time All-Star Reggie Miller has expressed his confidence in the Lakers, stating that they’ve had one of the best off-seasons. Reggie Miller, along with Jamal Crawford, emphasizes the critical importance of Anthony Davis’ health as the Lakers aim to contend for another championship.

Ahead of the new NBA season, Reggie Miller believes the health of Anthony Davis is critical for the LA Lakers because he is “a top 10, top 15 type player”, whilst Jamal Crawford thinks the team have had “as good a summer as anyone”.

Sports analysts were speaking on a media call to preview the upcoming campaign and were asked for their thoughts on both the Lakers and the Clippers.

Miller said that whilst he likes some of the moves that the Lakers have made, it ultimately comes down to Davis’ health.

He did point out that he feels it’s a similar situation to the Clippers as they need their two superstars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, to both be healthy as well.

“It will always be around Anthony Davis and the help. If he’s healthy, they’ll be in it because they’ll be able to rest LeBron and LeBron doesn’t have to do so much,” Miller said.

“I think that Christian Wood was a great pick-up because I do believe that Darvin Ham will get the best out of that young man. D’Angelo Russell has to be better, he was terrible in the play-offs, if you remember.

“Austin Reaves signs the big deal, he’s going to be the X Factor for them, but you know, to me, the Lakers and Clippers are in the same boat, it all comes down to help, and help to their key players.

“LeBron was 21st, 22nd season so, that’s long in the tooth. They’ve got to find ways to rest him, but Anthony Davis has to be healthy and these are the same conversations to me like Kawhi.

“68-74 [games], if he plays that range, the Lakers are in it because when he’s playing and he’s healthy, he’s a top 10, top 15 type player, but if he misses time, the Lakers are in trouble. You can’t rely on LeBron like you used to.

“So if AD is healthy, if Kawhi and PG are healthy, they’re in the mix. If I’m Phoenix or Denver come play-off time and one or both of them are in the semi-finals or conference finals, I’d be worried.”

Crawford echoed Miller’s statement, reckoning the Lakers had a strong off-season combined with them figuring some things out in the back half of last season.

He also thinks it is noteworthy that LeBron came out and gave Davis the public endorsement as the leader of the team.

Crawford said: “On the Lakers’ side, you can make an argument that they had as good a summer as anybody. I think what they figured out was how they played the second half of last season, is how they’re going to go going into this season.

“I thought something that was underrated was that LeBron actually came out physically and mentally and said, ‘AD is the guy’.
“Now he may have told AD that behind closed doors. But you can tell when LeBron was playing last year with AD, he just kind of took a backseat at times.

“But with him now saying, ‘hey you’re the guy, I’ll take a step back’. I think that’s going to free AD immensely, almost how Dwayne Wade freed LeBron in Miami when he came and said ‘no this is the guy’ and LeBron was free to just go and be him. If Anthony be that and be healthy, then the Lakers are going to be a tough out as well.

“They’ve had one of the best summers, and I’m eagerly anticipating seeing all the teams maintain good health, as it could make for an exhilarating playoffs.”

The Lakers will tip off the upcoming NBA season in an opening night double-header as they take on the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets.