Stephen A. Smith destroys Lakers’ Anthony Davis for playoff performance: ‘Flagrant dereliction of duty’

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The Los Angeles Lakers had been blown out in Recreation 2 of its playoff sequence in opposition to the Golden State Warriors Thursday night time, and eight-time All-Star Anthony Davis was a no-show. 

Davis scored simply 11 factors, including seven rebounds and 4 assists because the Lakers misplaced 127-100. 

Anthony Davis sits on the bench

Anthony Davis, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, seems to be on throughout the recreation in opposition to the Golden State Warriors throughout the Western Convention Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on Could 4, 2023, at Crypto.Com Area in Los Angeles, California.  (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE through Getty Photographs)

His efficiency got here after a dominant Game 1 the place Davis scored 30 factors and grabbed 23 rebounds, and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith was appalled by his response on Thursday night time.  

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Anthony Davis was straight rubbish final night time. Let’s simply name it what it’s. Straight rubbish. I imply, he was so unhealthy, sanitation staff won’t need to go close to him. And that’s their job. To take out rubbish,” Smith stated Friday on ESPN’s “First Take.” 

The Lakers entered halftime down 11 however had been outscored 43-24 within the third quarter, placing the sport on ice earlier than the beginning of the fourth quarter. 

“This isn’t concerning the Lakers dropping Recreation 2. That is about his efficiency, which was a flagrant dereliction of responsibility,” Smith added. “This brother didn’t present up in any respect, and he left LeBron James hanging. You’re the Los Angeles Lakers, you Lakers Nation, you need to win this sequence? You bought to name this brother out. As a result of he’s too nice. Anthony Davis, you might be too nice. In your sleep you’ll be able to rating 11 factors. In your sleep. That’s how nice you might be. We all know how nice you might be. 

LeBron James and Anthony Davis before a playoff game

LeBron James, #6, stands alongside Anthony Davis, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, throughout the nationwide anthem previous to going through the Golden State Warriors in Recreation 2 of the Western Convention Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Middle on Could 4, 2023, in San Francisco, California.   (Ezra Shaw/Getty Photographs)

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“There’s solely two causes that Anthony Davis doesn’t play the way in which he’s speculated to play. He’s damage and unavailable or he’s disinterested. Final night time he seemed disinterested. He seemed apathetic. He seemed detached.”

The Warriors had been led by Klay Thompson, who poured in 30 factors on 8-11 capturing from the three-point line. 

“I used to be simply attempting to get the gang going,” Thompson stated. “It is at all times enjoyable once you shoot the ball properly, it is even higher once you couple that with a win.”

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Klay Thompson celebrates after hitting a shot

Klay Thompson, #11 of the Golden State Warriors, celebrates throughout the recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the Western Convention Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on Could 4, 2023, at Chase Middle in San Francisco, California.  (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE through Getty Photographs)

The sequence now heads again to Los Angeles for 2 video games, with Recreation 3 scheduled for Saturday. 

“They made their changes. We knew they had been going to try this, that is what a championship staff does,” James stated. “They held serve on their house court docket tonight.”

The Related Press contributed to this report. 

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