Why Anthony Davis' Lofty Goals for Rookie Season Will Make Him Flourish

If you were at all worried that Anthony Davis would immediately begin living up to his well-hyped promise, don't be.

He certainly doesn't seem to be too concerned.

When asked about his rookie-season goals, Anthony had this to say (via New York Times blogger Joe Brescia):

"

Win rookie of the year. Make first-team all-rookie, first-team all-defense and defensive player of the year.

"

Ambitious? 

Sure, but that's why you have to love it. 

And, the fact of the matter is Davis' priorities really aren't too ambitious. He's already an excellent rebounder and defender, with the skills to match his other-worldly athletic ability. Is it really that out of line to think he might be named the league's Defensive Player of the Year?

He might even have a better shot at that award than Rookie of the Year honors.

Whatever you think of the kid's chutzpah, at least he's thinking in the right direction.

You know beyond the shadow of a doubt he'll work to become this league's best interior defender, giving Serge Ibaka a run for his money in the blocks department and helping Hornets fans forget all about that Tyson Chandler guy.

Though Davis' offensive abilities may be underrated, the real test of whether he was indeed worth the first-overall selection in the draft will be the extent to which he can transform New Orleans into a first-rate defense.

If he's working hard enough to insert his name into the various discussions in which he'd like it to belong, then we should see a lot of effort.

Along with the results to show for it.

In just one season at Kentucky, Davis produced plenty of results, even in high-pressure tournament situations. Even the most talented of freshman rarely do the kind of things Davis did, something to which his double-double average and 4.7 blocks per game should sufficiently attest.

In reality, Dwight Howard is probably more likely to be named Defensive Player of the Year, and that's only the beginning of Davis' competition.

But, you'd much rather have a rookie who aimed for the stars than one who's content to serve as some kind of development project. Davis understands that the world expects something from him, and he's one step ahead of it.

His confidence no doubt benefited from a summer spent winning a gold medal with Team USA at the London Summer Olympics.

What little on-court action he saw in the games may not have made a huge impact, but the opportunity to spend some time with the game's best competitors couldn't have hurt. It had to translate into some learning by osmosis at the very least.

Davis will have the chance to play with some pretty good, if not younger, competitors in New Orleans as well. 

He might be content to take things slower were it not for the fact that the Hornets could quickly become one of the best young teams in the West, outpacing other rebuilding projects like the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets.

The Hornets will find themselves in a lot of games this year, and Davis will have a reason to play his heart out. It won't just be on behalf of personal accolades; it will be because this guy wants to be a winner more than anything else.