NBA Draft 2012: Anthony Davis Will Breathe New Life into Hornets

Anthony Davis mastered college basketball in a single year. Now he is determined to do the same in the NBA. As the first overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft, Davis will be expected to be productive, but the New Orleans Hornets will reap rewards from his talents as he matures over time.

Following the selection of Davis, Dell Demps chatted with ESPN reporter Jeannine Edwards in New Orleans. In an interview that was broadcast live, the Hornets general manager stated that the team will be patient with the young phenom.

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We're going to think long term. We're not going to put too much pressure on him. We want to manage expectations. We knew he would bring an energy and excitement and a defensive presence and I think his offensive upside is tremendous. But we don't want to put too much pressure on him right away.

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Davis, who turned 19 on March 11, was the first of two freshmen Wildcats to be selected. The other came just one spot later, when the Charlotte Bobcats chose swingman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with the second overall pick. It was the first time in NBA draft history that two selections from the same school went Nos. 1-2.

New Orleans also had the 10th choice, and they surprised some by selecting Duke guard Austin Rivers. Rivers, who is the son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, should aide in the rebuilding effort that is currently taking place in the Big Easy.

According to Boston.com, "pre-draft trade rumors swirled of the Celtics' potential interest in drafting Rivers, which would have likely required Boston to deal its 21st and 22nd overall picks." But a deal never materialized, and the Celts stayed put to select Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger and Syracuse center Fab Melo.

Despite missing out on a chance to play with his father, Rivers should be comfortable in New Orleans because his dad has been friends with Demps and Hornets coach Monty Williams since Austin was a child.

In the meantime, Rivers should make quick friends with fellow freshman Davis, and together they will be a frightening tandem for years to come.  

"It's exciting to have these two guys come to our city," added Demps in his interview with ESPN. "They're high character guys and I think we have an unbelievable coach that's going to put them in a situation to be successful."