Five questions answered about the NBA’s newest superstar
After an effective but quiet rookie season last year former first-overall pick Anthony Davis has announced his presence this year as the NBA’s newest superstar. Before the season this author had the New Orleans Pelicans forward pegged at 21 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game. Through 10 games he is at 20.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. Even if those numbers come down to earth a little bit the 20-year old Davis is slated to be a perennial All-star (starting this year!) and approaching the list of the top ten players in the entire league/world.
What makes him so good?
Most of Davis’ elite skills are on the defensive end where he ranks in the top ten in the league in blocked shots, rebounds and even steals. What makes the 6-foot-10 Davis so good is his blend of length and quickness that allows him to stay in front of faster players and then reach up to challenge their shots.
He is also a very effective offensive player where he ranks just outside the top ten (tied for 16th) in points per game in the league. What really makes him an elite player is the impact he has on both ends of the floor. Most players favor either offense or defense and a lot of the most famous players quietly focus most of their attention on the offensive end. There are only a few players in the entire league who play that well on both end of the floor and they are truly the elite of the elite.
Here’s an example of his offense/defense prowess against the Lakers:
What position does he play?
A lot of NBA superstars can fill multiple positions but Davis fits pretty strictly in the power forward category. While the league is getting smaller and faster, at 220 pounds Davis is still going to need a heavier, bulkier player to hold some ground in the paint next to him on defense, except when the team wants to play small or until he adds some bulk.
Where does he need to improve?
Despite Davis’ fantastic statistics he has not been able to lead his Pelicans to many wins early in the season. This indicates that he still needs to find ways to translate his incredible ability into winning basketball—or he needs new teammates.
Although Davis is an individual defensive menace his Pelicans are near the very bottom of the league in overall defensive efficiency. Davis has not yet mastered the principals of team defense that allow him to quickly decide when to leave his own man and help out his teammates. He needs to learn to better position himself in such a way as to deny ball-handlers coming toward the basket a free lane while being able to quickly recover back to his man.
This is a high-level defensive skill, perhaps exemplified best by Kevin Garnett who happens to be…
What other great player is Davis most similar too?
Davis’ implausible length and agility are most reminiscent of Kevin Garnett. It’s surprising to see that Davis appears to be ahead of some of the all-time-great at similar points in their careers. It was not until Garnett reached his 5th season that he averaged over 22 points and 11 rebounds and he never reached the level of 2 steals or 3 blocks per game in his entire career.
What is his nickname?
Davis has a rather obvious physical trait that he has courageously decided to embrace rather than hide from. Ladies and gentlemen, intoducing the newest NBA superstar, the Unibrow, Anthony Davis!
