Anthony Davis was just 21 when the great Kobe Bryant compared him to Pau Gasol. Pau Gasol is a two-time NBA champion with Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. The number 3 overall pick in the 2003 draft, Gasol averaged 17.0 points and 9.2 rebounds in 1,226 regular-season games with five NBA teams.
Davis was only the second player in the league’s history to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks at age 20 or younger alongside Shaquille O’Neal. So what made Anthony Davis so special that caught Kobe’s attention?
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Kobe on AD: “He’s an athletic Pau Gasol. That’s the best way I can put it. He can be one of the greatest power forwards who has ever played”
— Bill Oram (@billoram) November 12, 2014
Anthony Davis in 2014:
The young power forward played for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2014 and finished fifth in the Most Valuable Player’s list. AD was the number 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft and he proved to be worth all the hype as carried his team to their first playoffs since 2011.
Davis finished sixth in the NBA’s Most Improved Player vote in 2014-15, a year after getting the third place for the same. Davis lead the NBA in blocks for a second season, while moving up to fourth in scoring average.
He managed to perform so well in just his third season as a pro. AD was also part of the 2012 Gold medal-winning team surrounded by veterans of the game.
Davis said, “I’ve learned so much from different players and different coaches, the coaching staff, my teammates. It helped me grow… We improved from last season in different categories and in our record.” (Source: NBA.com)
Davis this season:
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 14, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) dribbles a ball against San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White (4) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
AD’s team Los Angeles Lakers have struggled for form this season, coming off of a triple-overtime loss to Sacramento Kings. Davis has really struggled to fire this season, as per his stats.
Anthony Davis this season:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 27, 2021
16.7% on threes — worst in NBA history by any player with 2+ attempts per game and 20+ games played.
38.3% on midrange — worst in the NBA by any player with 100+ attempts.
33.1% on jumpshots — worst in the NBA by any player with 150+ attempts. pic.twitter.com/KZ2YEYzEjD
Davis has missed quite a lot of matches due to an injury-laden season. Averaging 24 points, ten rebounds and three assists per game, AD’s shooting has been below par this season. The Lakers dubbed as title contenders at the beginning of the season find themselves in a tricky situation.
The Golden State Warriors sit comfortably on top of the highly competitive Western Conference. The LA Lakers will have to turn their season around pretty soon, or they could be involved in a struggle for playoff berths and Anthony Davis will be key.
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