1. Anthony Davis
Age: 23
2015-2016 Season Averages: 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.0 blocks, 1.3 steals
Shooting Percentages: .493/.324/.758
Anthony Davis is a transcendent NBA talent. When healthy, he is the best big man in the NBA.
While he plays on a sub-par roster in New Orleans, Davis has been able to put this team on his back, at times, and make special things happen. If he gets a little more help, the Pelicans could be dangerous.
Davis’ offensive ability is simply amazing. He is a force on the interior, as he is able to finish against anyone, probably with a dunk. In the post, he is also nearly unstoppable. His face-up ability makes him dangerous, he can go around you or through you. His handle gets him to the rack at will and if not, he can knock down a mid-range jump shot right in your face. As if he wasn’t unstoppable enough, Davis is working to add a more consistent 3-point shot. What a nightmare that would be for the NBA. If you want to see a big man scoring bonanza, go to New Orleans and watch this man.
On defense, he is just as dominant. An elite shot blocker, Davis’ paint defense is incredible. His tenacity on that end makes him so special, as there are very few players that can score on him in the paint. His quickness is also top notch. Meaning that he can guard the pick-and-roll to perfection, with the ability to switch onto guards if needed in that situation. Davis is an elite stopper and it is hard to imagine that he won’t win a Defensive Player of the Year award some day.
Tenacity on the glass further advances his offense, as he is always a threat to create another possession for his team. Davis plays so mean on the inside that it is so difficult to out-rebound him. His elite athleticism coupled with his ferocity makes him a force on the glass.
At only age 23, Davis is already an elite player on both ends of the floor. The only thing standing between him and utter domination, is injury. If he is healthy, he is bound for the Hall of Fame. Don’t be surprised if in four years, Davis is the best player in the NBA. But for now, he is just the best at his position.