Underperforming Lakers Starter Takes Blame For Jazz Upset Loss

This was an unacceptable performance.

Your Los Angeles Lakers' 132-125 Saturday night loss at the hands of the Utah Jazz, a game they entered as -1.5-point favorites, has dropped the club to two games under .500 near the halfway mark of the year. LA is sitting at 19-21 after the first 40 games of the season. 

Their inconsistency, especially on the offensive side of the ball, can be lightly attributed to an array of different injuries, but more than anything, the team has lacked consistency with rotations, as they've seemingly started countless different groups throughout the season, defeating the purpose of the "continuity" that came from retaining most of last season's roster. 

Saturday night's loss, however, had much to do with the poor offensive showing from superstar Anthony Davis. Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Davis acknowledged as much himself postgame.

"It was on me," Davis said. "I didn't do my job tonight."

Playing without LeBron James, more of an offensive onus was certainly placed on AD, as while he tallied 15 rebounds, 11 assists, and four blocks, he shot a mere 5-of-21 from the field en route to putting up just 15 points – far less than what he needs to in games without LeBron playing. 

Davis has been terrific as of late, averaging 27 in the past month of play, but poor games like these coming in games where they need him the most isn't a winning recipe. 

We'll see if James returns soon, but with or without him out there, AD will need to pick it up over the next couple of games.