Anthony Davis: Consensus No. 1 Pick Will Be an All-Star in Every Conceivable Way
Anthony Davis is going to be an All-Star in the NBA for years to come, but his success doesn't end with the ball in his hands. His work ethic, modest demeanor and team-first mentality are what separate Davis from your average basketball star.
Last year for Kentucky, Davis averaged 14.3 points per game to go with 10 boards per contest. Those are good numbers for a freshman, but they aren't eye-popping. Davis' real impact came on the defensive end.
He averaged nearly five blocks per game. He led the nation in blocked shots and set the all-time mark for a freshman. Watching any player, let alone a freshman, impact a game on the defensive end is a treat. Davis has rare instincts, and he truly cares about that end of the floor.
It can be tough to get young stars to buy into anything that doesn't involve the ball in their hands, but Davis completely breaks that mold. I'd argue he impacts the game just as much when he's working off the ball on offense or roaming the paint looking to mangle another shot.
He knows what it takes to win basketball games, and he knows that doesn't always involved a 35-point effort by your team's most-talented player. In Bill Simmons' Book of Basketball, he would probably say Davis has "The Secret." He understands the nuances of a victory, and he understands that a star player's most important role isn't always scoring.
How many 19-year-old players can you think of who really understand that concept? I'd say Kevin Durant did, but who else? They are not easy to find, and that's what makes Davis an extremely rare prospect. Just watch Davis conduct an interview. He oozes leadership.
Davis' defensive savvy alone would make him a worthy top-five selection. His upside on offense makes him absolute dynamite at No. 1 overall.
He only averaged those 14.3 points per game, but spectators saw much more than that. He's raw in the low post, but he has excellent touch with either hand. His 7'5'' wingspan gives him the length to shoot over the majority of defenders, and his agility allows him to pull slower players away from the basket.
Davis' perimeter game is developing, but his mid-range game is already dangerous. If he develops a capable three-point stroke, it's all over for the competition.
New Orleans isn't going to turn around in a day. Basketball teams aren't meant to win with one great player. Davis will need some help, but his production next season will validate all notions attached to the No. 1 pick.
Expect Davis' career arc to fall somewhere between Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. He already has veteran instincts, All-Star defensive awareness and the necessary demeanor. Once he grows into his lanky frame, there won't be anything standing in his way.
Every year there seems to be a debate over the draft pool's best player. Pundits pick apart whom the No. 1 pick should be and each player faces some sort of scrutiny, but Davis hasn't. He's been considered the nation's best college player since he stepped foot in Lexington last fall.
It won't take NBA fans long to see why.
