Hernández: Lakers can't affor...

The loss of the Lakers' other superstar neutralized LeBron James' unexpected homecoming on Sunday.

Anthony Davis has gone missing.

The player who dragged the Lakers through a 13-game losing streak without James was a non-factor in their 118-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena.

Davis attempted fewer shots than five other Lakers, including Malik Beasley and Troy Brown Jr., in a setback that broke the Lakers' three-game winning run. With Davis limited to 15 points, it's little surprise the Lakers trailed by 21 points in the fourth quarter.

If the previous four weeks showed Davis at his finest, Sunday showed him at his worst, with one of the league's most powerful forces retreating to his more comfortable role as a passenger in James' truck.

The Lakers' players were not informed of James' comeback until just hours before the lunchtime game — Davis said he learned of it "when they said he was gonna warm up and see how it feels" — but that's no excuse.

The Lakers have dropped back below.500. They can't afford for him to disappear like he did against the Bulls, whom they face again on Wednesday in Chicago. Davis indicated that he was merely accepting what the Bulls were offering him.

"We knew they'd start doubling on the post," he explained. "They didn't always, and I was able to score." They did at times, and I was able to swing to a man or swing-swing to a guy for an open three.

"They're a pack-the-paint team, so even when we're rolling on a pick-and-roll, the pocket isn't there." They've got five players in the paint."

Davis mentioned how few points the Bulls allow in the paint (fourth fewest in the NBA) and how many three-point attempts they allow. (third most).

Coach Darvin Ham made similar remarks, even going so far as to commend Davis for passing rather than taking on several defenders at once.

"He's not one of those self-centered guys," Ham stated. "He'll make the correct basketball play." The Lakers' 18 turnovers were also cited by Ham as a reason.

Davis must be more selfish at times. And he can be, as proven by his four games with 35 or more points in James' absence in the preceding month.

When asked about the possibility of the Lakers facing another pack-the-paint approach, Davis said it was his duty to "find other ways to get the ball." Davis has never shied away from responsibility, despite his flaws. He had no intention of starting now.

This is an essential must as the Lakers attempt to transition from a club that is playing well under challenging circumstances to a squad capable of contending for a title.

Davis must be more self-centered at times. And he can be, as seen by his four games with 35 points or more in James' absence in the previous month.

When asked if the Lakers will face another pack-the-paint defense, Davis said it was his responsibility to "find other ways to get the ball." Despite his weaknesses, Davis has never run away from responsibilities. He had no plans to begin right away.

This is a requirement as the Lakers strive to shift from a team that is doing well under difficult circumstances to a team capable of contending for a championship.

When asked if anything could be done to assure that he and James peak at the same time in the playoffs, Davis said, "There's no trick. It's us showing up to play Lakers basketball. It isn't a one-man show. We have other people who can help us out when guys are making shots and we're playing off fast-break points instead of getting the ball out of the net all the time. Then both of us will be able to thrive." Davis was correct — to a point.

The other players may help Davis and James by regularly hitting from the perimeter, for example. But the contrary is also true: Davis and James may make the tasks of the other players simpler.