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

The Los Angeles Lakers had been blown out in Recreation 2 of its playoff collection 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, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, seems to be on in the course of the sport in opposition to the Golden State Warriors in the course of 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 Pictures)

His efficiency got here after a dominant Recreation 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.  

2 PLAYERS LAKERS TRADED MIDSEASON WANT CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS IF TEAM WINS NBA TITLE

“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 employees may not wish to go close to him. And that’s their job. To take out rubbish,” Smith mentioned 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 shedding 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 wish to win this collection? 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, #6, stands alongside Anthony Davis, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, in the course of the nationwide anthem previous to dealing with 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 Pictures)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“There’s solely two causes that Anthony Davis doesn’t play the best way he’s imagined to play. He’s harm and unavailable or he’s disinterested. Final night time he appeared disinterested. He appeared apathetic. He appeared 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 group going,” Thompson mentioned. “It is all the time enjoyable if you shoot the ball properly, it is even higher if you couple that with a win.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE Alokito Mymensingh 24 Alokito Mymensingh 24P

Klay Thompson, #11 of the Golden State Warriors, celebrates in the course of the sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers in the course of 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 Pictures)

The collection 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 workforce does,” James mentioned. “They held serve on their house court docket tonight.”