After the feat of scoring no less than 35 points in back-to-back games to open the season and leading the Lakers to a 123-116 win over the Phoenix Suns, which gave them a 2-0 record, Anthony Davis was asked if he could name the other two Lakers legends who had gotten off to an equally impressive start.
Davis missed six-Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, James Worthy, and LeBron James-before answering correctly. “Jerry West?” Davis guessed, correctly naming the Hall of Famer who started the 1969-70 season with 39 points in the first game and 42 in the second game. LeBron, who was standing beside Davis, chimed in to help with the identification. “Elgin,” said LeBron.
Davis said of Elgin Baylor, the forward who started the 1962-63 season scoring a total of 71 points in his first two games, which matched Davis’ current score. Davis has started the season to great effect; at 31 years old, in his 13th season in the NBA and sixth with the Lakers, he looks primed to take over as the team’s No. 1 player.
James, 39, said, “It is imperative that he is our main focal point every night,” after he finished the game with 21 points and eight assists. He added, “We know what he does on the defensive end; but offensively, we have to get him involved in different spots on the court during the game. We’ve been able to do that the first two games.”
Still, the 22-year veteran isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. When asked if he would suit up for Saturday’s back-to-back against the Sacramento Kings, his response was clear. “I plan on playing in every game this season,” James said. “We’ll see if that changes.”
The Lakers made a remarkable recovery from a 22-point initial deficit against the Suns, with Davis, James, and Austin Reaves who posted 26 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals leading the comeback.
Reaves said of Davis, “What he’s doing is unbelievable, but I always expect him to take over the game somehow or someway.” He added, “I’m just fortunate to be his teammate.” Lakers fans might also feel lucky to have JJ Redick as the head coach.
To find the last Lakers coach to start a season 2-0, you would have to go through names like Darvin Ham, Frank Vogel, Luke Walton, Byron Scott, Mike D’Antoni, and Mike Brown before landing on Phil Jackson way back in the 2010-11 season.
Redick, like the others on the team, gave Davis credit for the early success of the squad. Redick said, “We are conscious in trying to get [Davis] involved as much as we can.
We know what kind of player he is and the mismatches he can take advantage of. He has a comfort level and a confidence where, if this game starts to get away from us, the ball will go back to him. It’s going to end up in his hands eventually.”
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