Lakers' Anthony Davis Says He Has to Do 'Better Job of Helping' LeBron James

Anthony Davis knows the window on LeBron James' career is closing and understands he needs to do more for these Los Angeles Lakers to get back over the hump.

Davis told reporters he has to do a "better job of helping" James if the NBA's all-time leading scorer returns next season.

"Yeah, we know the window is always small and obviously he's not getting any younger," Davis said. "You know, this is why this was so important to both of us, and it hurts that we didn't get it done. But you know, we regroup, figure out ways we can be better. Figure out ways I can be better, more consistent for our ballclub and we come back next year ready to go."

Aside from a dominant 40-point performance in a narrow Game 1 loss, Davis had a quiet Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets. He finished the series with a 21-point, 14-rebound outing Monday night that saw him make just six of his 15 shot attempts.

James, by contrast, went down with his best performance of the playoffs, pouring in 40 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. The performance was made all the more impressive by the fact James has been playing through a foot injury that could require offseason surgery.

For the first time in his career, James sounded like he was understanding his basketball mortality when speaking to reporters after the game. The game's all-time leading scorer told ESPN's Dave McMenamin he plans on contemplating retirement.

While it's unlikely James winds up hanging up his Nikes, there's a heightened sense of urgency from the entire Lakers locker room following the frustrating end to the season.