Managing Expectations for Anthony Davis

Two nice articles of Bleacher Report:

Managing Expectations for Anthony Davis
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...-anthony-davis

Scouting Report Analysis
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...medium=twitter

Good reads

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Originally Posted by Paul Overt

Two nice articles of Bleacher Report:

Managing Expectations for Anthony Davis
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...-anthony-davis

Scouting Report Analysis
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...medium=twitter

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Very impressed with the scouting report analysis. Sound work from BR. Never thought I'd see that.

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...That experience, along with the rampant losing he's bound to encounter in New Orleans, could weigh on his confidence and make the task of realizing his full potential that much more difficult.

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Was the use of the phrase "rampant losing" necessary? :rolleyes:

People keep saying Kevin Garnett, but I see more of David Robinson. Garnett was always a good defender, an intelligent defender, but he has never been a game changer that alters 10-12 shots a game at the rim.He's averaged 1.5 blocks per game over his career, while I think Davis averages nearly twice that over his.

Robinson, like Davis, was a high school guard and did the majority of his damage offensively utilizing his athleticism and face-up game. The more and more I pour over the tape of D-Rob, the more I see what Anthony Davis will become. Robinson didn't come into the league until he was a 24 year old man, so Davis won't have the immediate impact Robinson did, but I expect their primes to be very similar.

Think it's interesting how people continue to assume the dude doesn't have enough offensive game to be effective, "nothing more than Marcus Camby" as one person put it. No matter.

Don't get why expectations need to be managed anyway. Think he'll be the greatest of all time, the only bad thing that'll happen is you're wrong and disappointed. For Davis himself? So long as he works his gluts off to make it happen, not a problem there either.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

People keep saying Kevin Garnett, but I see more of David Robinson. Garnett was always a good defender, an intelligent defender, but he has never been a game changer that alters 10-12 shots a game at the rim.He's averaged 1.5 blocks per game over his career, while I think Davis averages nearly twice that over his.

Robinson, like Davis, was a high school guard and did the majority of his damage offensively utilizing his athleticism and face-up game. The more and more I pour over the tape of D-Rob, the more I see what Anthony Davis will become. Robinson didn't come into the league until he was a 24 year old man, so Davis won't have the immediate impact Robinson did, but I expect their primes to be very similar.

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Robinson didn't play highschool ball as aguard. While he shot up by his senior year like Davis, he was added on the team after his spurt and played well after it, I don't think he ever was a guard.

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Originally Posted by MichaelMcNamara

People keep saying Kevin Garnett, but I see more of David Robinson. Garnett was always a good defender, an intelligent defender, but he has never been a game changer that alters 10-12 shots a game at the rim.He's averaged 1.5 blocks per game over his career, while I think Davis averages nearly twice that over his.

Robinson, like Davis, was a high school guard and did the majority of his damage offensively utilizing his athleticism and face-up game. The more and more I pour over the tape of D-Rob, the more I see what Anthony Davis will become. Robinson didn't come into the league until he was a 24 year old man, so Davis won't have the immediate impact Robinson did, but I expect their primes to be very similar.

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Garnett was one of the best defenders the league has ever seen. He could guard both forward positions and center. Just extremely versatile and capable. He was an absolute game changer on defense while also being fantastic on offense. Even at this age, he is the defensive anchor for the Celtics. If he gets injured or declines more, expect the Celtics to start dropping down in defensive rankings.

Robinson is an even better defender, but not quite as good of an offensive threat. If Davis turns out like either one of these guys, he will be the best player this franchise has ever had.

Honestly this was a great read, but the 14/7/1.5 seems a little low to me.

I expect Davis to be more like Robinson compared to Garnett.

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Originally Posted by Kibner

Garnett was one of the best defenders the league has ever seen. He could guard both forward positions and center. Just extremely versatile and capable. He was an absolute game changer on defense while also being fantastic on offense. Even at this age, he is the defensive anchor for the Celtics. If he gets injured or declines more, expect the Celtics to start dropping down in defensive rankings.

Robinson is an even better defender, but not quite as good of an offensive threat. If Davis turns out like either one of these guys, he will be the best player this franchise has ever had.

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Robinson not as good as an offensive threat as Garnett???

Sorry, I have to say something about that. Maybe you are remembering post Duncan David Robinson, but "in his prime" David Robinson was a top 3 scorer in the league multiple times- averaging nearly 27 PPG in his first 7 seasons in the league. Meanwhile, KG's career high was 24.2 PPG, a number D-Rob eclipsed 5 times, including the season he led the NBA in scoring at 29.8 PPG.

In his prime David Robinson was superior in every aspect of the game, with the exception of passing from the low post, and I see Davis as more Robinson than KG. Not a slight to KG at all- top 25 player of all-time- but I fully expect AD to be one of those once in a generation guys when it is all said and done that people talk about as a top-10 All-Timer. And if you check the 'In the NO' podcast, I have been saying that since December of 2011, so this is not homer speak

I think Robinson was a much better offensive player than Garnett.

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Originally Posted by Hornets78

I think Robinson was a much better offensive player than Garnett.

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I am willing to concede that point. I mainly just wanted to point out that Garnett is indeed a game changer on defense.

I didn't know David Robinson scored 71 in a game. And yeah AD will be amazing it's a reason why I screamed like idk what when we got him. I mean....how many times have you heard someone compare any player to KG and Robinson? That's good enough for me lol I don't even care to argue I just want to see him in a hornets jersey now.

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Originally Posted by CP3forMVP

Honestly this was a great read, but the 14/7/1.5 seems a little low to me.

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It's better to be underwhelmed now then overwhelmed in the season than to be overwhelmed now only to be underwhelmed in the future.

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Originally Posted by wuggie

I didn't know David Robinson scored 71 in a game. And yeah AD will be amazing it's a reason why I screamed like idk what when we got him. I mean....how many times have you heard someone compare any player to KG and Robinson? That's good enough for me lol I don't even care to argue I just want to see him in a hornets jersey now.

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It was a "scripted" 71. He did it to win the scoring championship that year over shaq (I think) who was like or 3 full points ahead of him. Spurs fed him the ball and he kept scoring it.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

It was a "scripted" 71. He did it to win the scoring championship that year over shaq (I think) who was like or 3 full points ahead of him. Spurs fed him the ball and he kept scoring it.

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lol now it makes sense. I thought that was weird because I never heard of him scoring that much.

Robinson was a big time scorer.

Both Robinson and Garnett were great offensive players in their prime. A few points per game doesn't change that. They had a fantastic run in Minnesota.

Davis is so raw on that end I wouldn't predict him being like either. If he develops a top notch offensive game, it'll be his very own.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

Both Robinson and Garnett were great offensive players in their prime. A few points per game doesn't change that. They had a fantastic run in Minnesota.

Davis is so raw on that end I wouldn't predict him being like either. If he develops a top notch offensive game, it'll be his very own.

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Strongly agree with this. Robinson was more a power guy and Garnett is as about as offensively skilled as a scoring big can get. I think if Davis becomes a big time scoring threat it will be more based on his quickness/athleticism than force or skill.

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Originally Posted by da ThRONe

Strongly agree with this. Robinson was more a power guy and Garnett is as about as offensively skilled as a scoring big can get. I think if Davis becomes a big time scoring threat it will be more based on his quickness/athleticism than force or skill.

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Can Davis be the next Lebron James? Serious question. Based on his rawness and athletic ability, does even a shot to be that good one day ?

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

Can Davis be the next Lebron James? Serious question. Based on his rawness and athletic ability, does even a shot to be that good one day ?

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Not the same physical monster that Lebron is IMO. LeBron has the highest ceiling ever in the NBA based purely on his body. will be be the best? who knows, i doubt it.

Well, obviously I'd be happy with Davis if any of the comparisons of him come to fruition. Be it Robinson, Garnett, Hakeem, or Russel.

Bring on the season, so I can stop being anxious and sounding like a fool trying to talk about the Hornets to everyone all the time.

I think Anthony Davis will be like Anthony Davis five years from now. Maybe even 10 years from now, if he reaches his ceiling.

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

Can Davis be the next Lebron James? Serious question. Based on his rawness and athletic ability, does even a shot to be that good one day ?

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When you have players as raw, tall, long, and athletic as Davis it's hard to say with their full potential is. However I don't think he'll be anywhere close to LeBron. James is all three things power, skill, and athleticism. It's hard to imagine Davis being a transcendent player relying heavily on athletic ability.

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Originally Posted by MeSoHornets504

Well, obviously I'd be happy with Davis if any of the comparisons of him come to fruition. Be it Robinson, Garnett, Hakeem, or Russel.

Bring on the season, so I can stop being anxious and sounding like a fool trying to talk about the Hornets to everyone all the time.

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LOL same here man. Im the exact way. The first game (oct 30) ima loose it!!!

Whos gonna be watching preseason games intensely?

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Originally Posted by HornetsFan1

Whos gonna be watching preseason games intensely?

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I'm gonna watch the team scrimmage intensely if it's open to the public like it was last year and the year before. Couldn't make last year's one. But I fully intend to be there for this one.

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Originally Posted by CP3forMVP

Honestly this was a great read, but the 14/7/1.5 seems a little low to me.

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Here's the list of players who accomplished those same numbers or better last season.
Andrew Bynum 18.72/11.82/1.93
Tim Duncan 15.43/8.97/1.52
Marc Gasol 14.65/8.91/1.86
Dwight Howard 20.61/14.54/2.15
Al Jefferson 19.18/9.59/1.66
Josh Smith 18.77/9.58/1.74
You're saying that is too low for him? Do you think he is going to put up better stats than those six players his rookie season? Seems doubtful.

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Originally Posted by Jabberwalker

Here's the list of players who accomplished those same numbers or better last season.
Andrew Bynum 18.72/11.82/1.93
Tim Duncan 15.43/8.97/1.52
Marc Gasol 14.65/8.91/1.86
Dwight Howard 20.61/14.54/2.15
Al Jefferson 19.18/9.59/1.66
Josh Smith 18.77/9.58/1.74
You're saying that is too low for him? Do you think he is going to put up better stats than those six players his rookie season? Seems doubtful.

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That's a good point. For AD, though, I believe CP34MVP could be right, at least for blocks and rebounds. I honestly believe AD will get more than a block and a half a game. He has shown that he can be one of the better shot blockers in the league IMMEDIATELY. Points might be spot on, maybe even a little lower. Rebounds, I can't really tell right now. He might not be strong enough to box people out well coming into this season, but it will undoubtedly happen, whether it is sooner or later. But you never know, he might just have that knack for being in the right place at the right time.

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Originally Posted by Jabberwalker

Here's the list of players who accomplished those same numbers or better last season.
Andrew Bynum 18.72/11.82/1.93
Tim Duncan 15.43/8.97/1.52
Marc Gasol 14.65/8.91/1.86
Dwight Howard 20.61/14.54/2.15
Al Jefferson 19.18/9.59/1.66
Josh Smith 18.77/9.58/1.74
You're saying that is too low for him? Do you think he is going to put up better stats than those six players his rookie season? Seems doubtful.

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That's a good point. For AD, though, I believe CP34MVP could be right, at least for blocks and rebounds. I honestly believe AD will get more than a block and a half a game. He has shown that he can be one of the better shot blockers in the league IMMEDIATELY. Points might be spot on, maybe even a little lower. Rebounds, I can't really tell right now. He might not be strong enough to box people out well coming into this season, but it will undoubtedly happen, whether it is sooner or later. But you never know, he might just have that knack for being in the right place at the right time.

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Originally Posted by Silverfoxx

Can Davis be the next Lebron James? Serious question. Based on his rawness and athletic ability, does even a shot to be that good one day ?

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No....

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Originally Posted by Nola3

No....

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It will be fun to watch AD23 Exhibit A (Transformations) to the Best Player Ever!!!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHiWrvGWeUU

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Originally Posted by Jabberwalker

Here's the list of players who accomplished those same numbers or better last season.
Andrew Bynum 18.72/11.82/1.93
Tim Duncan 15.43/8.97/1.52
Marc Gasol 14.65/8.91/1.86
Dwight Howard 20.61/14.54/2.15
Al Jefferson 19.18/9.59/1.66
Josh Smith 18.77/9.58/1.74
You're saying that is too low for him? Do you think he is going to put up better stats than those six players his rookie season? Seems doubtful.

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Only reason people don't think he can is because the impression that the big mean NBA players will throw him around like a rag doll and that he's so raw on offense he won't score outside of alley oops and putbacks.

And they're probably right to an extent. Still think he'll average more than 1.5 blocks a game. Tim Duncan can do that now and he's not half as athletic as Davis is right now.

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Originally Posted by Eman5805

Only reason people don't think he can is because the impression that the big mean NBA players will throw him around like a rag doll and that he's so raw on offense he won't score outside of alley oops and putbacks.

And they're probably right to an extent. Still think he'll average more than 1.5 blocks a game. Tim Duncan can do that now and he's not half as athletic as Davis is right now.

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I would add spot up shooting to Davis' repertoire in addition to alley oops and putbacks.

We know he was a great shot blocker in college, but I think he'll need some time to adjust to the overall huge leap in physical talent he'll be facing at the next level before becoming a premier shot blocker if ever. When you're in a league what guy like Derrick Favors coming off the bench it's a whole other world of talent than being at Kentucky.

Just think Howard is the greatest specimen 6'10 or above in the league right now by far and he only averaging 2.15 BPG's.

I'd agree with you if he were just blocking shots at the rim in college. But he was blocking jumpshots and 3pters. Blocking shots is about timing as much as it is about length and athleticism.