JJ Redick and LeBron James discuss ways for the Lakers to get the ball to Anthony Davis when double-teaming

Opposing teams have begun changing their defensive strategy against the Los Angeles Lakers in an attempt to slow down superstar Anthony Davis. Teams are aggressively double-teaming and forcing him to be more of a passer, something Davis has committed to a total of seven assists in the last two games.

Davis’ scoring has dropped significantly in those games, however, as the big man failed to reach 20 points in the same two contests, including the Lakers’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. Davis finished the game with 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks and head coach JJ Redick afterwards praised the Thunder’s defensive game plan for limiting his scoring, although he still felt the star had a great game had.

“Obviously (the Thunder) had a lot of attention and detail in terms of the game plan around him, to be honest, just in terms of a lot of similar actions that we run,” Redick said. “We have a lot of different ways to get him the ball. It’s not necessarily a single game and they have prepared well.

“And then when he was able to get the ball in his normal spots, just as many bodies. But again, this is the second game in a row that a team has done this, and he was a willing passer, again with seven assists. He didn’t shoot the ball like he normally does, but he had an outstanding game.”

The great thing about Davis is how versatile he is and how many opportunities he has to impact the game. It’s his passing that has stood out lately, but the Lakers can’t afford for him not to score, especially against a great team like the Thunder.

Statistically, the Thunder may have the best defense in the NBA, so they’re always going to make things difficult, but LeBron James still thinks the Lakers need to do a better job of getting Davis involved offensively.

“Every time he got the ball in the post, they had a guy at the elbow who was also doubling from the baseline,” noted LeBron. “We all need to do a better job of trying to get him involved offensively because we know what that means to our offense. I think it’s just one of those games where I don’t think anyone other than Dalton (Knecht) was in rhythm much.”

It was Dalton Knecht who once again led the Lakers with 20 points, and while that is something they want to continue, the team needs to get Davis points back into the high 20s and 30s to keep winning on a regular basis.

Lakers coach JJ Redick praises Anthony Davis’ pass

The Thunder became the second team in a row to make Anthony Davis a stronger passer, while the San Antonio Spurs did the same, although the Lakers were able to pull out a win that night and JJ Redick had nothing but praise for Davis afterward.

Redick praised Davis for setting the tone for the Lakers with his early pass, noting that the big man does everything in his power to win every night.

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