NBA Draft 2012: Kentucky's Anthony Davis Is Only Choice for No. 1 Overall Pick

It's going to be a Big Easy decision for the New Orleans Hornets come Thursday night.  The Hornets own the No. 1 draft pick and will select Kentucky phenom Anthony Davis.  

Despite the fact that this talent-laden draft includes big names such as Thomas Robinson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bradley Beal, Davis is the only logical choice for the No. 1 pick.

The former Kentucky star has everything that an NBA GM could want—great ability, team-first attitude, room to grow, and a definitive skill that will impact games immediately.

Team-First Attitude

The starting lineup at Kentucky this past season was one of the most talented lineups ever assembled in college basketball.  With all five players—Kidd-Gilchrist, Doron Lamb, Marquis Teague, Terrence Jones and Davis—likely to be drafted in the first round, it's no surprise that the Wildcats won the 2012 NCAA Championship. 

While they were obviously the most talented team in the nation, the fact that they won is a true testament to the team-first mindset of the players.

With so many players who were used to having complete control in high school, it's truly impressive that they were able to successfully mesh as a team. 

Some of Davis' stat lines exhibit his unselfish attitude perfectly—most notably that of the NCAA Championship game against Kansas.

The then-freshman scored just six points on 1-for-10 shooting, but he didn't let his bad shooting numbers affect the rest of his game.  Davis went out there and put on a defensive clinic—snatching 16 rebounds, blocking six shots (altering countless others) and even dishing out five assists.

Davis' unselfish approach dates back to his high-school days at Perspectives Charter in Chicago (via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

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"He’s always been a team-first person, said his coach, Cortez Hale. He’s very unselfish. It’s a big deal to him to take care of the team and fit in. . . . I had to tell him to shoot the ball."

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That team-first attitude is what NBA teams want in a player—especially from their potential superstar. Sure, there are countless players with unselfish attitudes in the draft, but none combine that attitude with the skills and ability of Davis.  

Tremendous Defensive Skills

Moving on from examining Davis between the ears, let's take a look at his game on the court.

Davis is expected to make his mark on games at the defensive end.  No surprise there—the 19-year-old led the nation in blocks with 4.65 per game and set Kentucky, SEC and NCAA single-season records for blocks by a freshman with 186.  

While Davis' offensive production waxed and waned throughout the season, he constantly played great defense and has the numbers to back that up.  He averaged 10 rebounds per game, never grabbing fewer than six, and averaged 4.65 blocks per game, never having a game without at least two.  

His freakishly long wingspan allows him to block and alter shots that most guys wouldn't be able to. Combine that with his great leaping ability, quickness and timing, and you've got a defensive force.  

David is easily the best defensive player in the draft, and his outstanding defensive skills and great instinct will be his greatest assets in his rookie season.  

Will Make Immediate and Significant Impact

It's rare to see a rookie come into the NBA and make a significant impact in his first season.  There's often a learning curve associated with a rookie year.

However, certain skills and abilities do translate more smoothly than others from college to the pros.  Defense is one of those skills.  

Davis' effort and desire on the defensive end will not diminish due to the fact he's playing in the NBA, nor will the length of his arms or his leaping ability.  

Don't expect him to go out there and block 4.65 shots per game, as his far-superior athleticism in college allowed him to get many of those blocks.  He'll be facing fellow world-class athletes on a nightly basis in the NBA rather than once or twice a year.

However, do expect the eventual No. 1 pick to average around two blocked shots in his rookie season and pull down double-digit rebounds.  

Davis is one of the very few prospects in this year's draft that has the skill set to make an immediate and significant impact for an NBA team.   

Above-Average Offense

While almost everybody knows that Davis is a beast defensively, far too many people assume his defensive prowess means offensive inability.  

Don't forget, Davis led the star-studded Wildcats in scoring last season with 14.3 points per game on just 8.4 shot attempts.  If he were to have shot as much as, let's say, Thomas Robinson (13.3 shot attempts per game), Davis would have easily averaged close to 20 points per game.

This kid was a 6'2" point guard his junior year of high school before shooting up to 6'10" his senior year. He grew up learning how to play like a guard.

Davis put those skills on display numerous times last season, handling the ball with ease, making excellent passes and stretching the floor by knocking down a 15-foot jumper.  

Hornets' Need for a Superstar

With last week's deal that sent Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza to the Wizards, the Hornets are now in need of a power forward.

Welcome, Anthony Davis.

Davis will see tons of minutes due to the absence of Okafor and will have the chance to make an immediate impact for the troubled Hornets.  

No other player in the draft could possibly fill the needs of the Hornets.  Yes, they are in dire need of a power forward, but they are more desperately in need of a superstar.

After the Chris Paul deal last year, New Orleans was left with Eric Gordon as the team's hope for the future.  Granted, Gordon is no scrub, but he's not a guy you're gonna build a winning team around.

Davis is that guy.  And pairing him with Gordon will form a viable one-two punch for the team from the Big Easy.        

Davis possesses everything the Hornets want and need in a No. 1 draft pick.  He has tremendous, game-changing skills, an unselfish attitude, and the ability to come in and make the team better immediately.  

Don't be surprised one bit when Davis' name is called first by David Stern on Thursday night—it's the only sure thing of the draft.