Grantland on Chris Paul

[Saints Fan in A]

C. Look, I'm one of the preachers at the Church of Chris Paul. He's the best point guard I've ever watched on a regular basis. I can't blame him for being saddled with an overmatched coach and two years of pieces that never totally fit. He did everything he could. But his personality isn't always … um … favorable? He's demanding and occasionally condescending. He has no problem undressing a teammate verbally in front of 18,000 people. He's always gesturing and telling teammates where to go and what to do, almost like an abrasive wedding planner. He's always playing angry. There were times during these past two postseasons, especially when things went wrong, that CP's body language basically said, "These guys suck — I'm gonna have to do this myself."

{Mod edit-A few paragraphs and a link please}

Link added

[Saints Fan in A]

And on Anthony Davis:



16. Anthony Davis
Even though a few unlucky injuries cost the Brow a Rookie of the Year award, I'm focusing on a 19-game stretch he played this spring: 31.6 MPG, 16.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.7 BPG and 53.3% FG until … whoops, he got hurt again. (Stay on the damned court, Brow!) I love his Very Poor Man's McHale/Duncan low-post potential, and I love the roster flexibility that Davis provides: Once his outside shooting improves (and it will), he could be your small-ball 5 (like Chris Bosh in Miami) or your big-ball 4 (like Ibaka in OKC). You could win a title someday with the Brow as your second-best player. New Orleans was lucky that David Stern owned the Hornets and gave himself the no. 1 overall pick to get him.

[Smow-]

Win with AD as our second-best player? Yikes.

[TBlaze]

I honestly think we have more of a chance that people think.

AD is a better player than BG. He'll be a better teammate, all around player, and is more than a one trick pony. He already has a better outside jumper than Blake.

I think a frontcourt of Ryno & Brow trumps Jordan & Griffin. CP has to let some of that play into his decision. It's going to be the same thing, if he stays there, he's going to force out some of their younger pieces, and they aren't getting any younger.

[Emilio]

Yeah I usually agree with Simmons, but Davis our second best player? He's underrating the kid.

Also: nice analysis of Paul's attitude issues.

[AD23forMVP]

Davis will be a superstar. If he doesn't develop into a 25ppg type up of guy I'll be shocked.

Think about it, during post all-star break he averaged 15ppg in 31 minutes on mostly just pick and rolls, jump shots, and put backs.

He'll develop a better mid range game, he'll develop some type of post game, and he'll only get better around the rim. Heck we also saw the ability to take guys off the dribble. And he'll play a lot more than just 31 minutes per game during his career.

[NOLa.]

Davis played great as a rookie big man. Usually don't see production like his in the first year before he develops chemistry and settles down.

[Pelicans78]

I'm hoping Davis can be more Duncan offensively than KG but I think he will be somewhere in the middle. His perimeter skills aren't as good as KG at this stage and Duncan had 4 years in college to work on his post game. Davis can't work on his post game in the NBA until he gets bigger and stronger.

[PowerPel]

2nd best? Maybe Simmons thinks we will strike gold in free agency? Maybe Simmons is thinking we will strike gold on our draft pick? Could Burke be the next CP3?

[kclaboy504]

Davis our 2nd best player?? Gtfoh...this kid is fantastic and we have our superstar!!!

[hornets7]

He may be talking about the league now being a perimeter game because of the rule changes when saying AD will be second best player.

Kinda how its hard to win in the NFL now without a top notch QB because of the direction of the league.

Most Good teams now have a superstar 2 or 3.

[PowerPel]

He may be talking about the league now being a perimeter game because of the rule changes when saying AD will be second best player.

Kinda how its hard to win in the NFL now without a top notch QB because of the direction of the league.

Most Good teams now have a superstar 2 or 3.

Good point. The Miami Heat come to mind here. A lot of these writers seem to think we(Pels) are on the way up.

[luckyman]

I thought Davis' 17 footer was just about money in the 2nd half of the season. There should be no question about his jump shot. His post moves and strength are what need to improve the most.

I don't think Simmons really watched the team enough to really know what he's talking about. Par for the national writer's course.

[Chinny]

If AD is our 2nd best, how great will our best be

[smittywerb]

AD just has to beef up. Put him in the weight room and send him to Hakeem's training camp. Dude would be a monster.

[Saints Fan in A]

I think he's saying that Davis would be a great second option on a title team in New Orleans. Whether or not that #1 options is on the roster or not remains to be seen.

[Snarly]

That's really high praise for a rookie

[DiMaggio dunks]

I think when he said AD would win as a second best player, he meant he can't be the sole superstar. He needs a player to help him reach max potential. Westbrook is a second best player, so is Wade. If AD could shoot like Dirk, he wouldn't be a second best player. The league has guys that can drive to the rim on a regular basis. Look at what KD does, he's a best player. AD just needs to develop more game, I think the second best comment is based on skills right now developing, nothing new developing.

[MeSoHornets504]

I think Simmons meant as a second option, not best player. You could make the argument that Tim Duncan was the 2nd option on all of his championship teams same with KG. He's right, in this regard. Today's defenses make it nearly impossible for a big man that isn't Shaq's size to really dominate. Anyone who thinks Davis will be our first offensive option on a championship may end up being sadly disappointed.

[BeeBall Reasons]

No I think he doesn't see Davis as a top 5 player down the road. It sounds like he thinks he'll be Bosh 2.0/Aldridge with defense.

[BallSoHard]

No I think he doesn't see Davis as a top 5 player down the road. It sounds like he thinks he'll be Bosh 2.0/Aldridge with defense.

A top 5 player is a big statement. I don't blame him until proved otherwise.

[Eman5805]

It's all prediction based anyway. If it's something proven, then you're just observing.