Anthony Davis Better Than Kuzma, Ingram, Ball Combined, Kobe Bryant Says

The Los Angeles Lakers’ hopes of making the playoffs in 2019 have been all but extinguished as they lie in 11th place, 9.5 games behind the Clippers, who occupy the final playoff spot with just 13 regular season games remaining. It is the sixth consecutive season that the NBA’s second most successful team will miss out on the post-season but Kobe Bryant says getting back to winning ways is a process and not an overnight phenomenon.

The arrival of LeBron James on a four-year deal in the summer was expected to change that and it looked like it had changed when they were in fourth place in December. But the three-time NBA champion’s untimely groin injury that saw him miss 18 games put a dent on their hopes as they slid down the table to 10th by the time he returned.

But their fortunes have not changed after James’ return and their inconsistent form continues well into the latter stages of the season. Luke Walton’s team have gone 2-8 in their last 10 games which have included losses to two NBA’s worst teams this season – the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks.

The Lakers management – president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka – had foreseen the troubles and were given a silver lining when Anthony Davis requested a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. They made multiple offers for the power forward but were unable to convince his current employers to part with their prized possession.

They even offered their three top young prospects Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, and Brandon Ingram as part of the package. Some believe that the trade offer being made public affected the confidence of the young players, but Bryant disagrees and believes the Lakers were right to go all out to get Davis.

"I say no," Bryant told Spanish publication AS when asked if the Davis saga misleads the players. “Kuzma, Lonzo, Ingram ... Are all three better than Anthony Davis? No no!. Ciao! Bye! Anthony Davis is one of the best players in the world. Not from now, from history. What are we talking about? If you can sign Anthony Davis, you do it.”

“If not, agree. We have three players who are very young and who work hard. They are intelligent and must be developed. But if you can sign Anthony Davis ... yes!” the Lakers legend added.

Despite the Lakers’ struggles, James has not been at his very best this season. He has broken many records and moved up on the all-time scorer’s list, but he has not had the same effect on his teammates like he did during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Some are questioning if joining the Lakers was the right move and if it will be better suited to the team to trade him and go in a different direction.

Bryant again disagrees with the questions, making it clear that it will get better for James and the team in the second year while further improvement will be seen in the third. Moreover, the Lakers are certain to strengthen their side in the summer as they have enough cap space to sign one big free agent.

“Yes, but it is the first year,” Bryant explained when asked if it is a crisis for the team to miss out on the playoffs with James in the team. “In Los Angeles, it will always be like that because in Los Angeles people want to win the ring this year, and the next. Now, now, now. But that is not reality. It's okay. Surely the second year will be better and the third, better than the second. Winning is not a matter of 'I get here to win'. It is a process.”