NBA Draft 2012: Why Anthony Davis Is the Next Kevin Garnett

The No. 1 pick of the 2012 NBA draft is going to be Anthony Davis.

Or should we say Kevin Garnett reincarnated?

The 6’11”, 220 lb. power forward from Kentucky is all too similar to the Boston Celtics’ 14-time All-Star.

Garnett was drafted fifth overall in the 1995 draft out of Farragut Academy (HS) in Chicago.

He became the fourth player in NBA history to make the jump straight from high school to the professional level.

According to ESPN, Garnett averaged 25.2 PPG, 17.9 RPG and 6.5 BPG during his senior year of high school. He shot 66.6 percent from the field and won USA Today's National High School Player of the Year award.

In just a week, Davis will be entering the 2012 NBA draft at the same exact height and weight as Garnett did nearly 16 years ago.

According to the University of Kentucky, Davis put up even better numbers than Garnett in high school, averaging 32.0 PPG, 22.0 RPG, and 7.0 BPG.

Last year’s top college player most recently became the second freshman ever to win the Naismith Trophy, joining Kevin Durant, who won in 2007 with Texas.

His collegiate numbers speak for themselves.

He led all Kentucky players with 14.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG and 4.7 BPG while draining 62.3 percent of his shots en route to the 2012 NCAA national championship.

But the comparison between these big men goes much deeper than just statistics.

For starters, they are both simply rebounding machines. They have a natural instinct for establishing position and beating the opposition to the ball.

The 7’5”-to-7’6” wingspan of each player is particularly impressive, too. Yet for some scouts, a lack of physical definition casts serious doubt on Anthony Davis in regard to effective post play.

Garnett was able to pack on the size and bulk up to a very solid 250 lbs. over time. There is absolutely no reason why the 19-year-old Davis cannot do the same and become an extremely effective post player before we know it.

When it comes to shooting, KG has a very smooth and dangerous mid-range jumper. Davis can knock down a jump shot as well, but he also has the potential to one day extend his range beyond the arc.

As an incoming high-school freshman, Davis stood a measly 6’2”. So naturally, he developed a very nice perimeter shot at that level. He also acquired some excellent ball-handling skills before sprouting another eight inches by senior year.

His level of comfort with both passing and ball-handling is even better than Garnett’s was at this point in his career. Heck, it may even be better than Garnett’s is now!

The biggest similarities between these two players do not stem from the offensive side of the ball, though.

Both of these guys are big-time defenders who scare off just about anyone brave enough to attack the basket.

They specialize in not only blocking shots, but effectively altering shots as well.

With a standing reach of roughly 9', players have no choice but to either find a way around these big men or dish the ball off before getting swatted. This is one of the very rare game-changing abilities they possess that is impossible to teach.

Garnett and Davis are more than capable of using their athleticism and length to step out and defend the perimeter, too. The quickness of both individuals allows them to apply fast-closing pressure to opponents’ long-range attempts.

When not blocking shots or rebounding, their defensive prowess translates to the steal department. Both guys average over one steal per game through their excellent anticipation and proven hands.

With all of that being said, it's hard to find something that these two don't have in common.

All signs point to the second coming of Kevin Garnett through the young and talented Anthony Davis.

It would be a very exciting matchup to see these two square off before Garnett finally reaches retirement.

In due time, Anthony Davis will slide right in and either join Garnett or claim his place amongst the most dominant power forwards in the game.

So everybody get ready to “Bow to the Brow” because this kid is officially the next “Big Ticket."