Anthony Davis

[Dmaxcs]

How do you guys feel about him? Do you think he will fit well on our roster?

[ChuckHayes69]

He's the one guy at the top of the draft I have no clue on. I could see him being the next KG, Aldridge, or Bosh, maybe more of a Camby type, or quite possibly the next Brandan Wright/Tyrus Thomas/Anthony Randolph/Insert any one of 10+ super skinny freak athletes who have been busts. I think his offensive skills are a bit overrated by some, even though there is clearly some potential there. If you look back at that list of guys in College I don't think any of them had any less offensive potential than Davis.

Add the risk inherent in drafting this type of player with us having Biyombo and Thomas on the roster (both freakishly athletic shot blockers who are both offensively challenged, at least right now) and I don't really like his fit with the team. If he turns into a Wright/Thomas/Randolph it sets this franchise back a long time again (like the Morrison bust, etc.), and even if he is decent we already have Thomas and Biyombo.

I'd prefer Drummond and Barnes for this team. I might even prefer MKG. All three seem like safer bets, and all three have skill sets that fit into the "core" of this team better.

Having said all that, though, I could easily see him being by far the best player in this draft is he improves his size and/or offensive game.

[skratch]

Not sold on em for some reason, i just think hes going to be a bust, i think anybody we draft is going to be a bust, question is can he deliver offensively?

[Veteran_Picksetter]

I'd be thrilled to have Davis.

1. It's a legitimate question to ask how he fits in with the roster. But when you are adding a number one caliber player, you don't worry too much about how he fits with a Biyombo or a Thomas. You hope a Biyombo or Thomas will fit with him. It reminds me of a few years ago on the Charlotte Observer forum when some guys were questioning how a Derrick Rose would fit in with Ray Felton already on the roster if we lucked up to get the first pick. Uh.....OK.........

2. Davis is a good to great rebounder and an ELITE, SUPREME, RECORD-SETTING shotblocker NOW. He is PRODUCING. This is not just about potential. He is DOING it. And rebounding/shotblocking translate well to the next level.

3. Davis is 15-20 pounds heavier than Brandan Wright at the same stage of their careers. Yeah, he's still skinny. But he's showing he can get it done as a collegiate star. Wright was not even close to Davis's level in college.

4. I'm a big fan of length and statistical productivity. Davis has 'em.

Yeah, Davis WOULD be another PF. But I think he and/or Biyombo will grow into minutes at the Center position. They would man the 2 interior positions nicely a few years from now. Obviously the 3 perimeter positions would then have to be loaded with ball skills.

Thanks for reading.

[Demon DeaCat]

It's just so hard projecting what a college freshman is going to be 5 years down the road. It was so much easier being a scout or a GM back in the day when guys stayed in college 3 or 4 years. Based what I see right now though I'm not sold on Davis. The shot-blocking is a given, but setting that aside, he just doesn't appear to be very coordinated. His movement is not fluid. This is probably not that uncommon for young bigs, especially those who have experienced a recent growth spurt as he has, but nevertheless, it is a concern. I haven't seen all of his games, but I've watched 5-6 and I think I've yet to see him score off of a legitimate post move. It's usually either a dunk, stick-back or free throw. Those will be far less-frequent at the next level. His size (i.e. weight) is probably the most easily correctable of his deficiencies, but until it is addressed, it will also be a significant obstacle in his transition to the NBA. In short, I question whether he will ever become a complete player who is worthy of a #1 overall pick. I think it's far more likely that he will join the long list of tall, athletic shot-blockers who can't score, many of whom were listed above.

[dav7z]

To me Barnes is the safest pick . But im not sold on him being the best player. Lick others i could see Davis falling into that groupe advove.

[SWedd523]

Part of what makes Davis so likable as a prospect is the fact that despite his growth spurt, he's still kept the fluidity and coordination he had as a guard. That has never been questioned.

[Demon DeaCat]

I guess it has now.

[Keetch]

Chad Ford said in a recent chat that EVERY NBA team has him at No. 1.

He's pretty awesome as is I think and yet still has a lot of filling out yet to do.

No brainer No. 1 for me too.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

It's just so hard projecting what a college freshman is going to be 5 years down the road. It was so much easier being a scout or a GM back in the day when guys stayed in college 3 or 4 years. Based what I see right now though I'm not sold on Davis. The shot-blocking is a given, but setting that aside, he just doesn't appear to be very coordinated. His movement is not fluid. This is probably not that uncommon for young bigs, especially those who have experienced a recent growth spurt as he has, but nevertheless, it is a concern. I haven't seen all of his games, but I've watched 5-6 and I think I've yet to see him score off of a legitimate post move. It's usually either a dunk, stick-back or free throw. Those will be far less-frequent at the next level. His size (i.e. weight) is probably the most easily correctable of his deficiencies, but until it is addressed, it will also be a significant obstacle in his transition to the NBA. In short, I question whether he will ever become a complete player who is worthy of a #1 overall pick. I think it's far more likely that he will join the long list of tall, athletic shot-blockers who can't score, many of whom were listed above.

Perhaps he hasn't developed post moves yet because he was supposedly a guard his whole life??

I think an incredible rebounder/shotblocker can be worthy of a number 1 pick. Anything extra like offensive moves would be a bonus.

I can see Davis getting lobs all day long on the pick-and-roll.

Bottom line for me is that Davis is already massively producing in ways that will translate to the nba.