How good will Anthony Davis be next season?

[Milbuck]

The kid just turned the legal drinking age a couple months ago, and he's already putting up 21/10/2/3/1. I always knew his defense would be a game changer, and he's shown it with his steals and nearly 3 blocks a game. The dude is a force defensively, similar to KG in that he is threat nearly everywhere on the court, beyond just the post. But what's surprised me is that offensively he's shown a ton of improvement. He has a very nice jumper developing, he has good hands, his finishing ability is constantly getting better, his awareness and offensive instincts are terrific, and he's relentless on the offensive boards always getting easy 2nd chance points. His vision and passing (age-for-age) isn't as good as some of the great PFs like KG/TD, but he's no slouch.

Overall, his ceiling is scary high. He made a tremendous jump from his rookie year to this past season. How good do you think he'll be this upcoming season?

Also, how good will the Pelicans be next season? Assuming they don't have significant injury problems like they did this season, they could have a really talented starting 5 of:

Jrue Holiday
Tyreke Evans
Al Farouq Aminu
Ryan Anderson
Anthony Davis

[JohnFreeman]

Top 5. Pelicans 7th seed barring injuries

[Adam Silver]

I'll make sure his free throws go up next season.

[Milbuck]

I'll make sure his free throws go up next season.
:applause: It seems you're beginning to understand the scope of your new responsibility, with that username/gimmick. I'm rooting for you.

[oarabbus]

Better than Blake Griffin

He needs to team up with another young up and comer. Lillard/Davis plz

[navy]

Smaller jump next year, but his team has to get better as well.

[Im Still Ballin]

22/11.

PM me for the inside scoop.

[Cocaine80s]

i dont really remember too well but wasnt Jrue doing pretty good in the beginning of the season? before he got injured.

if Jrue can come back to form I think they could sneak in the 8th seed. they'll probably fight for it with the suns/mavs

[oarabbus]

i dont really remember too well but wasnt Jrue doing pretty good in the beginning of the season? before he got injured.

if Jrue can come back to form I think they could sneak in the 8th seed. they'll probably fight for it with the suns/mavs


West too stacked several deserving teams won't make it:(

[Graviton]

His durability and health is questionable, he is like Jon Jones, tall lanky body but gets minor injuries over and over.

Top 5 if healthy, Top 15 otherwise.

[Milbuck]

Better than Blake Griffin

He needs to team up with another young up and comer. Lillard/Davis plz
Agreed on Blake. In 4 years, I think he'll be far and away better than current Blake.

Not a fan of Jrue or Tyreke?

Jrue's had injury problems this past season. It was a down year and he still put up 14/8 for the season. I think healthy, he's an 18/9 caliber player with great defense, which is pretty damn good. He's also only 2 years older than Davis at 23 and only a couple months older than Lillard, he's got plenty of times to improve.

Tyreke is also young at 24. He's been tossed around in bad situations, but when he's put in a comfortable role, he's shown a lot of promise. Over the last 20 or so games of the season when he was given more control of the offense, Tyreke put up 20/6/7/1 on 50/31/78 shooting. Not superstar numbers, but it goes to show his potential.

They need a coach with a more organized system that can extract the strengths of all the players. A more free-flowing offense that can take advantage of Tyreke's vision/playmaking, without neglecting Jrue's ability to run the offense.

Jrue-Tyreke-Anderson-Davis core has a lot of promise, they just need to be used the right way.

[JohnFreeman]

Tyreke needs to start as well.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

It will be interesting to see what happens if his team fails to make the playoffs next year.

Things turn quickly from next great one to stat padder. Tho, I think Unibrow will be the next MVP not named LeBron or Durant. Just saying, everyone had an infatuation with Love and Irving at one point. It can change fast.

[navy]

It will be interesting to see what happens if his team fails to make the playoffs next year.

Things turn quickly from next great one to stat padder. Tho, I think Unibrow will be the next MVP not named LeBron or Durant. Just saying, everyone had an infatuation with Love and Irving at one point. It can change fast.
True. But at least he plays defense so even the criticism cant be as bad as those two.

I dont think he can win an MVP with Durant around though.

[Milbuck]

Tyreke needs to start as well.
Absolutely. Like I said, Tyreke was an absolute stud for a solid 20-25 games to end the season, when he was given more burn. Consistent role = more confidence. Confident Tyreke = potential star.

It will be interesting to see what happens if his team fails to make the playoffs next year.

Things turn quickly from next great one to stat padder. Tho, I think Unibrow will be the next MVP not named LeBron or Durant. Just saying, everyone had an infatuation with Love and Irving at one point. It can change fast.
Davis's impact will always be higher than those two because of his defense. The Pelicans were ravaged by injuries this year. Ryan Anderson missed 60 games, Jrue missed almost 50 games, Gordon missed around 20, and Davis himself missed 15 games. Aside from Gordon, those guys aren't really injury prone. That's 4 of their 5 best players missing significant time, only 1 which could've been expected. I think next year, a healthy NOLA team could win anywhere from 38-45 games. For his 3rd year, that's not too bad. Certainly not Love-Irving level of mediocrity.

[fiddy]

Top 5. Pelicans 7th seed barring injuries
lmao no way in the west

[TheMilkyBarKid]

Is it just me or is Davis and the Charlotte hornets a match made in heaven?
And slightly improved offense and dpoy candidate

[Milbuck]

lmao no way in the west
It's not that far-fetched man.

Who could've expected the Blazers to be this good this year? Last season they won 33 games, which is less than the Pelicans won this year. They also ended the season on a 13 game losing streak. And yet, this year they got 54 wins, tying the defending champs' record, and made it to the 2nd round in one of the toughest conferences of all time. What the Blazers did this season is far more absurd than expecting the Pelicans to make the playoffs next season.

Who knows what could happen? Dirk's game could fall off a cliff next season like KG's did this season and the Mavs could be a mediocre team. Zbo declining or another Gasol injury and the Grizzlies could struggle next season as well.

NO won 34 games this season with 4 of their 5 best players missing anywhere from 15-60 games. With a fully healthy roster and another year of experience and improvement for all the young guys (who happen to also be the best players on the team), they could seriously push 45+ wins, which sounds like it's asking for a lot but it's only 11 more wins than they had this year.

[notatop29pg]

http://www.bourbonstreetshots.com/2014/05/12/season-in-review-anthony-davis-2/

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Weren't the Blazers in playoffs contention last year until injuries hit them? That combined with having one of the, statistically, worst benches in NBA history equated to a losing ways to end the season. Most thought the upgrades of Mo, Wright, another lottery pick, and possibly Robinson for the bench would be enough for them to be a borderline playoff team. Then Lillard and Aldridge progressed, Matthews had a good season, and Lopez played better than expected. They went from a possible playoff team to a solidified one. Some of that can be attributed to having depth to help out.

Not too surprising of a run. Kind of lucked out getting a James Harden-led squad in the first round. Not so sure Portland beats Golden State or LAC (since they were battling in that 3, 4, 5 range seed).

Unless Duncan, Pop, and Ginobili retire after winning a ring this year and unexpected injuries, I don't see Spurs, OKC, LAC, Houston, Portland, Golden State, Memphis, or Phoenix getting much worse. That doesn't even include perennial 9/10 seed Minnesota, a Dallas team who almost beat the Spurs, and probably a healthy Kobe Lakers team. Nevermind Denver's injures this past year. Who knows how good they are with Gallo and McGee?

[andremiller07]

Unless Tyreke of Aminu become gun shooters in the off season you can't play them together imo, they need to start Morrow at SG or SF and the Pelicans going to be good on there floor spacing. Davis should be a top 5 big man next year.

The Tyreke/James Johnson combo when he played in Sacramento was awful and that's basically the exact same combo with him and Aminu.

[roffie]

Unless Tyreke of Aminu become gun shooters in the off season you can't play them together imo, they need to start Morrow at SG or SF and the Pelicans going to be good on there floor spacing. Davis should be a top 5 big man next year.

The Tyreke/James Johnson combo when he played in Sacramento was awful and that's basically the exact same combo with him and Aminu.

according to the pelican they are letting go off aminu in the offseason so tyreke shud continue to start

[iBandwagon]

I think he could be top 5 next season.

[Number24]

Let's talk about this after the playoffs! It's too untimely!

[iBandwagon]

Let's talk about this after the playoffs! It's too untimely!

True. There is actual basketball going and we haven't seen this guy play a game in like over a month.

[Milbuck]

Let's talk about this after the playoffs! It's too untimely!
Understandable. It's actually the playoffs that made me think of this, specifically the Blazers. I was just thinking about them winning 33 games last season and losing 13 straight to end the season...and with them now playing in the 2nd round of the playoffs, a thought popped up. Considering NO won 1 more game than the Blazers last year, AD and Lillard are comparable as of right now, and NO has a lot of talent that was wasted this year from injuries, I kinda paralleled the two teams in my head.

[Number24]

Understandable. It's actually the playoffs that made me think of this, specifically the Blazers. I was just thinking about them winning 33 games last season and losing 13 straight to end the season...and with them now playing in the 2nd round of the playoffs, a thought popped up. Considering NO won 1 more game than the Blazers last year, AD and Lillard are comparable as of right now, and NO has a lot of talent that was wasted this year from injuries, I kinda paralleled the two teams in my head.

I hear you... Anthony Davis has oozing potential and we are barely scratching off at the surface of his game. More of a second coming of Dwight. But we'll see. I have actually predicted them to enter the playoffs in the beginning of the season but yeah as you have said, INJURIES were in their way.

[Paul George 24]

The kid just turned the legal drinking age a couple months ago, and he's already putting up 21/10/2/3/1. I always knew his defense would be a game changer, and he's shown it with his steals and nearly 3 blocks a game. The dude is a force defensively, similar to KG in that he is threat nearly everywhere on the court, beyond just the post. But what's surprised me is that offensively he's shown a ton of improvement. He has a very nice jumper developing, he has good hands, his finishing ability is constantly getting better, his awareness and offensive instincts are terrific, and he's relentless on the offensive boards always getting easy 2nd chance points. His vision and passing (age-for-age) isn't as good as some of the great PFs like KG/TD, but he's no slouch.

Overall, his ceiling is scary high. He made a tremendous jump from his rookie year to this past season. How good do you think he'll be this upcoming season?

Also, how good will the Pelicans be next season? Assuming they don't have significant injury problems like they did this season, they could have a really talented starting 5 of:

Jrue Holiday
Tyreke Evans
Al Farouq Aminu
Ryan Anderson
Anthony Davis

HE WON'T AS GD AS KG

[Milbuck]

HE WON'T AS GD AS KG
And you know this for sure?

[navy]

HE WON'T AS GD AS KG
I'll admit, I thought Anthony Davis was overrated coming out of college but he is the real deal. I dont think his defense will ever reach KG's level. And his post game is suspect. But he will be the real deal.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Top 10

[hawksdogsbraves]

Agreed on Blake. In 4 years, I think he'll be far and away better than current Blake.

Not a fan of Jrue or Tyreke?

Jrue's had injury problems this past season. It was a down year and he still put up 14/8 for the season. I think healthy, he's an 18/9 caliber player with great defense, which is pretty damn good. He's also only 2 years older than Davis at 23 and only a couple months older than Lillard, he's got plenty of times to improve.

Tyreke is also young at 24. He's been tossed around in bad situations, but when he's put in a comfortable role, he's shown a lot of promise. Over the last 20 or so games of the season when he was given more control of the offense, Tyreke put up 20/6/7/1 on 50/31/78 shooting. Not superstar numbers, but it goes to show his potential.

They need a coach with a more organized system that can extract the strengths of all the players. A more free-flowing offense that can take advantage of Tyreke's vision/playmaking, without neglecting Jrue's ability to run the offense.

Jrue-Tyreke-Anderson-Davis core has a lot of promise, they just need to be used the right way.

I just don't know if Tyreke can play with Jrue, he has to have the ball in his hands to be successful. The Pelicans will definitely have a solid team, if they can stay healthy I can definitely see them in the playoffs, it's so hard out West though.

Davis is a beast though, one of my favorite players in the league. Give him a good guard to run the pick and roll, (I honestly don't know how good Holliday is at it, haven't seen him enough) and that's your offense right there. There aren't many, (read: ANY) bigs with the combo of finishing and ability to pick and pop the mid range jumper that AD has. Surround those two with shooters and get some big body to bang in the paint and that's a 50 win team.

Between Holliday and Davis though, injuries are definitely a concern.

[Johnny Jones]

I just don't know if Tyreke can play with Jrue, he has to have the ball in his hands to be successful. The Pelicans will definitely have a solid team, if they can stay healthy I can definitely see them in the playoffs, it's so hard out West though.

Davis is a beast though, one of my favorite players in the league. Give him a good guard to run the pick and roll, (I honestly don't know how good Holliday is at it, haven't seen him enough) and that's your offense right there. There aren't many, (read: ANY) bigs with the combo of finishing and ability to pick and pop the mid range jumper that AD has. Surround those two with shooters and get some big body to bang in the paint and that's a 50 win team.

Between Holliday and Davis though, injuries are definitely a concern.
Holiday and Tyreke was our best combo in terms of plus-minus.

http://www.bourbonstreetshots.com/2013/12/24/jrue-holiday-and-tyreke-evans-are-the-pelicans-backcourt-of-the-future/

Also this was Jrue's first year really effected by injuries. I do agree with AD possibly being injury prone, but most of the injuries he had this year were minor and he could have played through them, but the team didn't think it was worth it.

[Johnny Jones]

Agreed on Blake. In 4 years, I think he'll be far and away better than current Blake.

Not a fan of Jrue or Tyreke?

Jrue's had injury problems this past season. It was a down year and he still put up 14/8 for the season. I think healthy, he's an 18/9 caliber player with great defense, which is pretty damn good. He's also only 2 years older than Davis at 23 and only a couple months older than Lillard, he's got plenty of times to improve.

Tyreke is also young at 24. He's been tossed around in bad situations, but when he's put in a comfortable role, he's shown a lot of promise. Over the last 20 or so games of the season when he was given more control of the offense, Tyreke put up 20/6/7/1 on 50/31/78 shooting. Not superstar numbers, but it goes to show his potential.

They need a coach with a more organized system that can extract the strengths of all the players. A more free-flowing offense that can take advantage of Tyreke's vision/playmaking, without neglecting Jrue's ability to run the offense.

Jrue-Tyreke-Anderson-Davis core has a lot of promise, they just need to be used the right way.
His stats are largely inflated by his poor start to the season and his last 4 games which he was battling shin splits. The stretch of games in December he averaged 17/9 on 47% with close to elite defense.

[SwishSquared]

I think his scoring will increase and he may have a slight drop in blocks, but he'll be a more effective defender. I think in 2 years he can be better than Griffin is. His length is such a game-changer defensively. I think for his sake, they need a starting center that can bang so he plays more time guarding PFs. I think Anderson off the bench would be awesome. I think Tyreke and Jrue can play together, provided one of them can consistently knock down 3s. I think they need to trade Gordon though- I remember Zach Lowe, I think, writing that the
Jrue-Gordon-Tyreke-Anderson-Davis
line-up destroyed teams offensively but was (non-surprisingly) bad on D. They'd have to take back a contract that's not great though and I'm unsure if the FO/ownership is willing to do so.

[To4]

I would like him to get out of New Orleans.

[j3lademaster]

22/11/4/1.5/2.5 top 3 player behind the King and Durachondroplasiaphobia.

[LoneyROY7]

Very good. Very, very good. Not as good as Blake doe.

[bdreason]

He could be a top 5 player.

[highwhey]

I can't see him doing playoffs this quickly in a new orleans jersey, they need to start making moves. But he's going to be great no matter what. I know people would view it as a b1tch move but imagine if he left to San Antonio? Mentoring under Duncan with coach Pop would be the best training available for a big with his skills.

[hawksdogsbraves]

Holiday and Tyreke was our best combo in terms of plus-minus.

http://www.bourbonstreetshots.com/2013/12/24/jrue-holiday-and-tyreke-evans-are-the-pelicans-backcourt-of-the-future/

Also this was Jrue's first year really effected by injuries. I do agree with AD possibly being injury prone, but most of the injuries he had this year were minor and he could have played through them, but the team didn't think it was worth it.

Huh yeah interesting article. Gordon seems to be the big problem on the roster, how much longer does he have on that fat contract?

[SwishSquared]

Huh yeah interesting article. Gordon seems to be the big problem on the roster, how much longer does he have on that fat contract?
I think 2 years, ~$31M

[Threethrows]

I would like him to get out of New Orleans.

As do all fans of teams not named the Pelicans.

Davis is going to be a GREAT player.

Funny thing is, coming into the league everyone was thinking he's going to be defense >>> offense. He didn't look that impressive on defense his first year though. Obviously he's gotten better and his actual skill is starting to catch up with the flash, but he's shown that he has some big time offensive potential as well.

I can see this guy having something like a 26/14/4 with 3.5+ blocks prime to go along with undeniably superb defense and have a relatively lengthy time at the top. I think he's that good.

It's possible this class could produce the best PF, PG and Center in the league at some point in the coming years. With the next class up being strong as well bringing in plenty of hopeful stars we could see a nice era with Davis being the not so pretty face of the league as LeBron and CO. make their way into the twilight BBall years.