NBA Scout Focus: Breaking Down Kentucky Wildcats Prospect Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is a power forward and the projected No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.  He is an elite prospect who has all the tools you want in a player and the right attitude to succeed at the professional level.

Let’s break down his specific skills to see how Davis will fare in the NBA.

Intangibles

Intangibles and defense are the two most important reasons Davis is a slam dunk No. 1 overall pick in the draft.  Along with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Davis was the leader of a Kentucky team that was simultaneously the most talented and unselfish college team in recent memory.  Despite his immense talent, Davis worked hard to involve his teammates on both ends of the floor and clearly cared far more for wins than statistics.

But, what makes Davis so special is that he is willing to assert himself at the right moments.  In the NCAA tournament Final Four, his 18 points and 14 rebounds were a critical part of Kentucky’s tough win over Louisville.  And, while he barely scored versus Kansas in the NCAA Title Game, his 16 rebounds and six (yes you read that right) blocks kept Kansas from ever seriously challenging the Wildcats for the win.  So, when it’s important, Davis helps his team win in every way he can, and his intangibles are simply off the charts.  

Defense

Davis was the best defender in college basketball in his freshman season.  In fact, he may be the best individual defender in a half decade.  It’s almost impossible to overstate how impressive he was on that end of the floor in the season, and his grasp of defensive placement and paint protection as a freshman was simply uncanny.

Want specifics?  Davis led the NCAA in blocked shots, and, by watching him, it was clear that he impacted the trajectory of many others.  He also covers ground extremely well, probably because he was a guard before growing seven inches midway through high school.  Davis instinctively knows how to protect the paint, step out and provide help defense, and then slide back to prevent drives to the rim or disrupt mid-range shots.  He will make an immediate impact in the NBA on the defensive end.  

Athleticism and Tools

Davis is a physical freak.  He stands 6’10” in shoes and has a 7’4” wingspan, which makes him a dominant power forward that can play the center position in small-ball lineups.  He moves more fluidly than any player his size and runs the floor like a deer.  Davis is also explosive around the rim.  His athleticism and array of physical tools is probably the most impressive since Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan. 

What he needs to do is add muscle to his frame.  Davis has the length and athleticism but he needs 15-20 more pounds of muscle to hold his own in the NBA paint.  

Scoring and Shooting

Davis remains a fairly raw offensive player.   He converted only 27 percent of his mid- and long-range shooting attempts, so this is an area where he needs serious work.

But Davis is only 18, works hard and has all the physical tools required to be an offensively dominant NBA power forward.  He also has a strong base of skills to work from: He knows how to move around the floor and make plays without the ball, already excels at cleaning up around the rim and dunking and knows how to play unselfishly within the flow of the offense.

Davis is also incredibly efficient, which is rare for a young basketball player.  Often, physically gifted college players are inefficient because they always look for their own offense while both missing shots and disrupting flow.  But Davis made 62 percent of his field goals while averaging 14 points at Kentucky, so there is great room for him to develop and learn to be dominant while staying an efficient player. 

Rebounding

Davis is a special rebounder.  He averaged 10 rebounds on the season, which sounds good but not exceptionally impressive, but it does not tell the whole story.  Davis knows how to get rebounds when they matter.  He hustles for the ball and has great technique on the defensive glass.  He also knows how to grab critical offensive rebounds and has honed those skills all season.  Davis’ rebounding was one of the most important factors in Kentucky’s wins over Louisville and Kansas en route to the title.

In fact, Davis’ rebounding is also one of the best indicators NBA scouts have for his success.  His elite defense is rooted in rebounding skill, his athletic gifts, and hustle, which means it is not going anywhere.  And his offensive rebounding prowess means he can be a helpful offensive player early on in his rookie season before he learns to become dominant in the post.

Passing and Ball Handling

Davis is one of the best ball-handlers at power forward in all of college basketball.  A guard early in high school, he learned how to move the ball before a growth spurt turned him into a special power forward.  But those skills remain and show on both ends of the floor.  They have given him a foundation to become a great paint passer and big man ball-handler, much like Kevin Garnett.  

Team Fits and NBA Player Comparison

Davis fits on any team.  Of the teams who could have the No. 1 pick, New Jersey looks extremely intriguing.  Pairing Davis with Brook Lopez would be dominant and might convince all-star point guard Deron Williams to stay. 

He compares best to Kevin Garnett.  The Boston Celtics power forward had the same athletic tools, ability to move and run, lean frame and special defensive capabilities as a prospect.  Davis also has Garnett’s work ethic and desire to learn and improve, so there is a good chance he grows to emulate his Hall of Fame predecessor.

Conclusions

Davis is a special prospect and a great future No. 1 pick.  He grades out as an elite defender and rebounder from Day 1 in the NBA.  He has elite level athletic tools and intangibles.  And, while Davis is still a raw offensive player, his on-court efficiency and desire to learn and improve will help him make it as an NBA star.