10 Current NBA Players Anthony Davis Is Already Better Than

Anthony Davis is not only better equipped for the NBA more than any other player in the draft, but also than a number of the Association’s current constituents.

Davis improved immensely on offense while remaining a defensive stalwart as Kentucky traipsed its way to a national championship. The ever-improving nature of his two-way impact left many drawing comparisons between he and Kevin Garnett, company you pine to be in if your Davis

So, while the soon-to-be first pick of the draft hasn’t seen a second of professional action, he already has an edge over a number of more established counterparts.

Note: For the sake of concision, we will only take a look a only the most notable starting power forward who hold a role similar to the one Davis will assume when he makes the jump to the NBA.

Kris Humphries, PF Brooklyn Nets

Kris Humphries has developed into quite the all-around player.

The ever underappreciated power forward can make contributions on either end of the floor. He moves well without the ball and can hit the mid-range jumper on offense, and isn’t afraid to get his hands
dirty on the boards or body up on the block while playing defense.

That said, Davis does all those things, only better, with the exception of his outside shooting. He’s also more athletic and can create scoring opportunities for himself.

Humphries, whether we opt to ignore it or not, is one of the most talented two-way forwards in the game. But without having played in the NBA, Davis is already more complete and prolific.

Zach Randolph, PF Memphis Grizzlies

Zach Randolph is a beast in the low post, but there’s nothing athletic or overly versatile about him.

Though the big man has great instincts on offense and can stretch defenses with his mid-range jumper, he lacks the same killer instinct on defense. He rebounds well and his footwork is admirable, but he’s not a shot-blocker, nor is he adept at even forcing shot-adjustments.

Anthony Davis has a ways to go on offense, specifically with regards to his mid-range game, but the abilities in the paint are already there. And he took great strides toward the end of the NCAA Tournament to improve his footwork and ball handling.

When it comes to defense, though, it’s not even a contest. Davis is an athletic shot-blocking machine, while Randolph cannot be effective until after the shot is released.

Factor in conditioning and injury issues, and Memphis’ big man, especially at this point in his career, falls short when pitted against Davis.

Luis Scola, PF Houston Rockets

Some people don’t give Luis Scola enough credit while some give him way too much.

Houston’s fan-favorite is deft at putting points on the board, but he doesn’t provide much else. Sure, he’ll chase after loose balls, but his lack of defensive execution and overall aggression on the offensive end render him a player with little to be excited about.

Anthony Davis, though, is a different story.

Davis is explosive on both sides of the ball. His execution on defense is easily superior to Scola’s—4.7 blocks per game, anyone—and he’s better suited than Scola to score with his back to the basket, yet possesses the tools necessary to develop a strong mid-range game.

Scola is a fundamentally safe player, but safe isn’t always better.

David Lee, PF Golden State Warriors

Just like Luis Scola, David Lee is a tough player to pick apart. However, his talents are simply no match for Anthony Davis’.

Lee is incredibly gifted on the offensive end. He’s a fixture on the glass and stretches defenses with his impressive range. You’d also be hard-pressed to find anyone who works harder than he does.

That said, while Davis’ mid-range jumper is in need of tweaking, he’s a better option than Lee in the low post. Despite his lanky frame—which he needs to fill out—he’s able to power the ball down low, something Lee has never excelled at.

And defensively, where Lee is essentially a non-factor, Davis leads by example. Rebounds, blocked shots, shot-adjustments, forced turnovers, fighting over screens—you name it, he does it.

Lee warrants a wealth of respect, but we cannot ignore the clear advantage Davis already has over him.

Derrick Williams, PF Minnesota Timberwolves

Derrick Williams, the athlete deemed by many as the most NBA-ready in last year's draft, isn’t on the same level as Anthony Davis.

While Williams can hold his own athletically when pitted against Davis, his offensive game is less refined—which is saying something—and he’s an average defender at best.

Davis, on the other hand, will make most of his living early in his career on the defensive side of the ball. And while his offense doesn’t blow you away, he’s a better passer and generally more unselfish.

Looking back, it’s difficult to believe that there was even a debate between who was more talented between Kyrie Irving and Williams. We won’t make the same mistake here, though, as Davis is clearly the superior talent, even with one less season of professional experience.

Ryan Anderson, PF Orlando Magic

The NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year is good, but not as good as Anthony Davis.

Though Anderson is an efficient shooter, he’s not particularly deft at creating his own shot or scoring in the paint. As much as it stings to attribute his success to Dwight Howard, the behemoth’s presence helped spread the floor, accounting for most of his open looks.

Davis is no sharpshooter, but he has the tools to develop additional range. More importantly though, he’s able to create for himself in the post and isn’t afraid to put the ball on the floor.

And once again, we have no contest defensively. Anderson isn’t especially quick or athletic and struggles to body up against most of the league’s stronger forwards.

Davis has no such issue. He’s a standout on defense with Serge Ibaka-like anticipation and Howard-type toughness, despite being Kevin Garnett-sized lanky.

The in-bound Davis is a versatile gem. Anderson, while a solid ball player, is anything but multi-faceted.

Elton Brand, PF Philadelphia 76ers

At the height of his career, Elton Brand was a strong low post scorer, avid rebounder and perpetual shot-blocker. But even at his best, Anthony Davis has him beat. 

While Brand has always had the body to hoard rebounds, he has a tendency to disappear in that aspect of the game.

He’s also never been a consistent defender. Sure, he’ll block shots, but so will Amar’e Stoudemire, and he’s no defensive stud. Brand feigns effectives on defense; he aims for blocks when it’s
convenient, but struggles to keep pace with his man, especially if he ventures outside the painted area.

Davis, however, does all of what Brand can’t, and then some. He’s a truly gifted two-way player who only has to imitate build, which when you watch him fight for position, you realize he does quite well.

Davis has yet to play in an NBA game, but he’s already better than both the Brand of then, and now.

Carlos Boozer, PF Chicago Bulls

Carlos Boozer can score and rebound, but that’s about it.

For his entire career, Boozer has left much to be desired on the defensive end. He’s not one to block shots, pick pockets or even just hold his position.

And given his 266-pound frame, that’s not only surprising but also disturbing. Anthony cannot score as well as Boozer yet. He’s gone on offensive tears in the past and even shown an occasional Boozer-beating shooting touch, though, leaving the door open for him to surpass him sooner rather than later.

While the two are comparable on offense, the same cannot be said on defense. Davis lives for that side of the argument and doesn’t disappoint.

The ability to affect the outcome of a game within various areas is more important than occasionally dominance one end of the floor. And going of that notion, Davis is already better than Boozer.

Pau Gasol, PF Los Angeles Lakers

To be honest, at one point, Pau Gasol would have easily trumped Davis on offense. To be even more honest, that’s not the case anymore.

Gasol still has a great game on offense, but he’s not as composed or aggressive. He settles for jumpers far too often and hardly takes it to the rack at all anymore.

Defensively, he’s no stud. His aggressiveness on the glass is underwhelming and his footwork questionable.

While Gasol has the edge on Davis offensively, it’s not by much. The Wildcat not only has more range than people give him credit for, but he can put the ball on the floor in a controlled manner and rarely comes up short on finishes at the rim. He’s also a staple on the offensive boards, an attribute Gasol would be wise to pick up on.

Once upon a time, Gasol was a superstar, but he’s regressed over the last 18 months. So much so, in fact, that Davis is the better cornerstone.

Blake Griffin, PF Los Angeles Clippers

Cue the critics.

Blake Griffin is an extremely talented, albeit limited, offensive player. He has the clear edge in athleticism and is more aware of his surroundings once he takes flight.

That said, Griffin is unable to handle or put the ball on the floor the way Davis can. His perimeter game is also a bigger work-in-progress and unlike Davis, his free throw shooting is borderline hopeless.

And must we even acknowledge his defense? Griffin has the athleticism, and even necessary anticipation, to swat away a string of shots, yet he’s simply not aggressive enough. His footwork is also partially to blame, as he is as uncoordinated as they come on that side of the ball.

Davis’ overall physique and awkward-like demeanor may not capture attention the way Griffin’s high-flying antics and bravado-based physique do, but he’s without a doubt the more complete player.

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