Now in his third season, Anthony Davis has blossomed into everything the New Orleans Pelicans have hoped he would be after drafting him at No. 1 in the 2012 draft. Since his arrival in New Orleans, Davis has displayed the defensive prowess and athletic ability that had him turning heads as a freshman in high school, where he eventually became the top recruit in the country. Simply put, Davis has fulfilled expectations on every level that he’s played, and now, in just his third year, he is drawing some serious MVP consideration while playing on a Pelicans team that has remained in the playoff picture so far.
Davis was already an NBA-ready player during his lone year at Kentucky, and he has steadily improved in each of his seasons since moving to the pro level. He is currently averaging 24.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 1.5 steals, while shooting 55 percent from the field, and also has an absurd PER rating of 31.86, the best in the league. While he’s always been considered a top-level defensive talent, it’s Davis’ offensive evolution that his pushed him over the edge and into elite status this season, earning him his first All-Star start, (which he will now have to sit out after injuring his shoulder last week.)
Pelicans head coach Monty Williams was quick to point out back in November that he believes Davis has more room left to grow.
“I don’t think he’s close (to his ceiling), just because his body hasn’t matured and his mind isn’t close to what it’s going to be,” Pelicans coach Monty Williams said. “His understanding of the game is ahead of most young guys, but it’s not where it’s going to be. I’m not trying to diminish who he is or what he has done. But what 21-year-old is even close? You talk to all those (superstars) who played at a high level, and where they are at 26, 27 compared to 21 is — those guys would think they were dumb at 21. He’s about as complete a 21-year-old player as I’ve ever seen, but he’s just 21.”
Davis has improved nearly every facet of his game this season, but there are three man factors that are responsible for his surge in production during the 2014-2015 campaign.
1. His Jumpshot and shot selection. – It’s no secret that Davis is an extremely effective scorer in the post. His quickness and athletic ability for a player his size allows for him to make quick backdoor cuts, drives, dunks, and tip-ins with little resistance from opposition. His inside game is indeed strong, but Davis has been able to extend his range from the basket this season, as his mid-range jumper is steadily improving, and it has shown in his propensity to attempt more shots away from the paint. Davis’s average distance from the basket per field goal attempt has stretched to a career-high 9.1 feet. He is shooting a career-high 74 percent from within three feet of the basket, which is to be expected, but his career-high 43 percent mark from distances longer than 16 feet really shows how his accuracy has improved while being able to stretch the court.
He has yet to add a three-point shot to his skillset, but moments like this might be enough to make him reconsider:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df-c5JCXsX4
2. His ball handling. – Davis has always been low on his turnovers, and this season is no exception. He is averaging only 1.3 per game, a career-low, and has upped his assists average to 1.7 per game, a career high. Davis is cautious and calculated when he has the ball in hands, and rarely wastes a possession on a panicked and hurried pass or bad shot. Because of this, the Pelican’s offense is ranked eighth in the league in efficiency with 105.6 points per 100 possessions.
3. His teammates. – Davis has a solid supporting cast around him that has gelled together well over the last two seasons. Ryan Anderson is listed as Davis’s backup on the depth chart, but he often finds himself on the court with Davis, and is a great compliment to his play due to his ability to stretch defenses with his three-point shooting. Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon provide excellent backcourt play, with Evans constantly finding ways to set up Davis in the lane off of screens and cuts. Offseason acquisition and seven-foot center Omer Asik has been a great addition to the lineup, and probably the biggest help to Davis, providing distractions and drawing double teams, while opening the court up for Davis with quality screens. Most importantly, Asik allows for Davis to spend more time at power forward rather than center, which has paid off in huge ways.
