Anthony Davis was a force to be reckoned with against the Pistons as he dropped 38 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the Lakers to their 4th win of the season (128-121).

With LeBron James missing the game due to a left adductor strain, the 29-year-old forward enjoyed being the sole leader of the Purple and Gold.

According to Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, AD has to continue being the leading force when James returns. The whole locker room knows that that Davis has to get going for the team to win, he says.

“AD has to be the leading force, the leading charge in terms of how we want to play the inside and outside basketball pressure on the paint, pressure on the rim constantly,” Ham said postgame. “He’s a guy that can carry us through certain segments of the game and obviously we see what he does down the stretch.

“And when Bron gets back, his IQ, he knows we need Anthony playing like that, we need to get Anthony going. Bron is going to do what he needs to do. Russ – same with him. Lonnie, Austin. Our pieces are starting to come to form.

“The biggest thing is we know we have to get AD going. That gives our best chance to be successful. Everyone in that locker room knows that – player, coach, otherwise.”