Written by: Mike Zahorsky
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Wow.
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That was the only word needed when watching Anthony Davis lead his Kentucky Wildcats to a title in their ’11-’12 campaign. Anthony Davis was the staple of a team that seemed on a collision course with fate to win NCAA basketball’s ultimate prize. It now leads us to the following question being asked at many sports bars and media outlets around our nation: How will he do in the NBA? Let’s break it down.
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Statistics:
All the numbers are good outstanding. Averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game and shooting a remarkable 62.3%, good for 13^th in the nation. On top of that, his 186 blocks set the NCAA record for any freshman. He also has the 2^nd most blocked shots in one NCAA tournament. All of these numbers good enough for national player of the year.Zoom in on the numbers and you’ll see Davis’ 288 shot attempts were only fourth most attempted on the Wildcats but he shot the most free throws on the team (203) as well.
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Playing time:
Ultimately, getting between eight and nine field goal attempts per game is a statistic is a statement of how good the Wildcats were and beyond that, it also beckons the question of whether he can be a go to guy or not. It’s no secret that his offensive game certainly has room for improvement but when you’re the number one pick in the draft and expected to be a go to guy from year one, you will be getting at least 15 field goal attempts per game. His 32 minutes per game in college are also very likely to move anywhere into the neighborhood of 40 minutes per game. . His increase in touches and minutes will require much more stress on the body.
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The competition:
Take into account that the majority of players Davis played against in college are not at the level of the guys the NBA has to offer. The game will move much faster. Guys will fly at Davis more often and not be intimidated to do so. He’ll be dealing with the most physical players the sport has to offer and many teams will double him way more than he was doubled at Kentucky. There he was a great player on a team that will likely have six players drafted this year including Davis. When he gets to the NBA, the best team in the country won’t surround him anymore, rather, one of the worst.
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His youth:
Davis is a baby at the age of 19. He was 6’3” just two years ago and now he’s 6’10”. He’s a growing boy at oldest, apologies. Davis was also a guard before playing at Kentucky, so his low post game is very young as well. The room for improvement on Davis, especially in his offensive game, is astronomical. I’m not taking anything away from him. But through time he is only going to get better with the help of good coaching. He also weighs only around 225 pounds and most NBA power forwards weigh closer to 250. So he could use some extra weight.
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The intimidation factor:
The unibrow on Davis is one of the most intimidating things any man has had on there face. Dennis Rodman’s multi-colored hair and Ben Wallace’s afro don’t come close. Between all the merchandise and attention it created in college and is going to create for years to come, Davis is now in a position where he couldn’t get rid of it even he wanted to. His arm length is close to as scary, measuring in at 7’4”. It makes you wonder if when he first comes into the league, how often players will try and really test his toughness the way most rookies get it or if he’ll be more feared.
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So is he the next chosen one? The future will tell. But no player’s draft hype has been greater since LeBron’s. Davis’ NBA career has him in good company, even before it’s begun.