In one season at the University of Kentucky, power forward Anthony Davis left his stamp on the world of college basketball. Davis averaged 14.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game as he helped Kentucky win their first national championship in men’s basketball since 1998. Davis’ accomplishments led him to be selected as the Associated Press’ National Player of the Year in 2012 as well as being the only collegiate player selected for the United States Men’s Basketball Team for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The ping pong balls bounced the way of the New Orleans Hornets for the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery as they selected Davis with the first overall pick.
Davis would go on to enjoy a good rookie season as he appeared in 64 games. Davis averaged 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for the Hornets during his rookie season in the NBA, but he has taken his game to another level this season.
Before the start of the NBA season the Hornets officially became the Pelicans and just like the bird that we have all seen hanging out on the pier, Davis has taken flight as well. Through 29 games played this season Daivs is averaging 19.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game. Davis’s shot blocking ability has allowed him to lead the league in that category. Davis is only 20-years old and he is just scratching the surface of his potential in the NBA.
Davis is a 6’10”, 220 lbs. guy that can run the floor like a gazelle. Davis is also apart of 300lbsofsportsknowledge’s all-effort team due to the fact that he is one of those players that does not require a play being called for him in order to be effective.
The first two games of this season proved that Davis would be a force for the Pelicans. In the Pelicans season opener against the Indiana Pacers, Davis had 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a 95-90 loss. On November 1, Davis had 26 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks as the Pelicans lost to the Orlando Magic 110-90. Davis doesn’t only produce in losing efforts for the Pelicans as he recorded 32 points, 12 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 3 assists as New Orleans defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 96-85. Davis sustained a fractured hand at the beginning of December which forced him to miss 7 games, but he returned to the Pelicans lineup on December 18 to score 24 points and 12 rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers. For the month of January, Davis has scored more than 20 points in five of the Pelicans last seven games including a 28-point, 14-rebound performance in tonight’s 110-107 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Pelicans 15-21 record finds them currently in the basement of the Southwest Division while they are 12th overall in the ultra-tough Western Conference. You cannot pay attention to the Pelicans record as this team in improving under their head coach Monty Williams and Davis is a big part of it. This season the Pelicans have five players that are averaging double figures in points with Davis being second on the team in the category. Injuries to forward Ryan Anderson and point guard Jrue Holiday could put more on the onus for Davis to be the guy moving forward in the French Quarter.
Davis has been able to show his worth against some of the best in the business at the power forward position as the Western Conference is home to players such as LaMarcus Aldrige of the Portland Trailblazers and Blake Griffin of the Clippers.
The Pelicans might still be a year away from becoming a consistent playoff team in the Western Conference, but they definitely have a building block in Davis.
Source: Basketball-reference.com
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