Davis Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Chris Webber, Joe Smith and Patrick Ewing averaged at least 10 points, eight rebounds, 1.5 blocks and a steal during their rookie years. Anthony Davis joined that group last year. Since then, Davis has only increased those numbers. He has quickly become one of the more exciting players in the NBA. He has become a player whose stat line is checked after each game. You never know when Davis will go for 25, 10, 4, 6 and 6. If he keeps up his current numbers, Davis would join an exclusive club. Six players in NBA history have had seasons averaging at least 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks and a steal. (Hakeem Olajuwon-nine times, David Robinson-seven times, Lew Alcindor-four times, Bob Lanier, Bob McAdoo and Bill Walton). Davis could add his name to that exclusive Hall of Fame list of players. Let’s be honest, NBA fans under the age of 25 have never seen a player quite like Anthony Davis. He has so many similarities to Olajuwon because of his overall skill. Maybe Kevin Garnett could be a far comparison to Davis, but Davis is nowhere near the passer Garnett was, and Garnett only had 2 or more blocks (he averaged 2.1 once; 2.0 twice) in a season three times. Davis has much better defensive ability than Garnett. Similar to what Marcus Camby had for so many years. Camby won at least one defensive player of the year. Davis won’t turn 21 until March. He, along with Andre Drummond, Damien Lillard and Bradley Beal, has helped make the 2012 Draft a franchise changing one. I mean where would the Blazers be without Damien Lillard? Davis is one of my favorite players. I enjoy watching players who can do a number of things (not just score), and Davis does an astounding job blocking shots. He obviously has the length, but lots of players have length and every big guy in the NBA is… well, big. Blocking shots is about timing and risk. It’s an art form. Davis does it really well. He is athletic enough to run with threes. Davis isn’t the biggest guy in the world. He weights 220 pounds, which mainly has to with his height. But Davis uses his body well. He struggles against the Zach Randolph’s of the world, but who doesn’t? Brute, enforcing power forwards are hard to find. Randolph comes to mind, but mainly power forwards are good at more than just inside scoring and rebounding. LaMarcus Aldridge might not be a great passer or defender, but he can shoot from the outside. Kevin Love is the best scoring power forward, he is also the best rebounding power forward. And he can pass. David West stretches the floor with his jumper. Blake Griffin has impressive assist numbers, can dunk on anyone and has an underrated low-post game. Anthony Davis has played well enough to have his name in the discussion with the top power forwards in the game. He isn’t quite at that level now, but that’s only because of consistency. He needs to put up these numbers for more than just 24 or so regular season games. The sky is the limit for Davis. His supporting cast in New Orleans has shaped into a really solid one. I don’t think it’s there yet. The Pelicans should trade Eric Gordon. Let Tyreke Evans play in the backcourt with Jrue. Upgrade the center position is necessary, too. I’m sure a number of teams would be interested in Eric Gordon. The Pelicans don’t need another star for say because Davis could develop into the best player in the NBA. It’s not the craziest idea. He has all of the tools to do so, and it does help that he can’t even legally drink yet.
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