#NBA rank No. 3: Anthony Davis

[Chris]

wtf ESPN?

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11770399/2014-nba-player-rankings-3?ex_cid=sportscenterFB

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2014/1022/mag_anthonydavis002_getty_576x324.jpg

For the fourth straight year, ESPN.com and the TrueHoop Network are ranking every NBA player and counting them down on Twitter (@ESPNNBA) from No. 500 to No. 1.

We asked our ESPN Forecast panel to predict the overall level of play for each player for the upcoming NBA season. This includes both the quality and the quantity of his expected contributions, combined in one overall rating.

As the rankings are announced, you also can find them here on the pages of ESPN.com.

The players on our list keep getting better and better and we'll be revealing them one at a time on Twitter, continuing the countdown until Oct. 28, opening night in the NBA.

Today we roll out player No. 3: New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis.


What is #NBArank?

#NBArank is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to get involved in the discussion or just follow along.

You also can follow along @ESPNNBA.
How did we rank the players?

We asked our ESPN Forecast panel to rate each player on a 0-to-10 scale, in terms of "the overall level of play for each player for the upcoming NBA season."

[spurraider21]

he's worthy. i'd take him over cp3

[Chris]

he's worthy. i'd take him over cp3

That's surprising. Would you take him over Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, or even Steph Curry?

[spurraider21]

That's surprising. Would you take him over Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, or even Steph Curry?
i'd take lebron and durant over him from that list

[baseline bum]

That's surprising. Would you take him over Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, or even Steph Curry?

Of those players I'd only take James and Durant over Davis for next season.

[baseline bum]

I can't believe they have Durant listed at #8. Guess that leaves cp0 as #2.

[Darth_Pelican]

AD is the real deal. At 21 years old, he's going to have a decade of elite play.

[Chris]

Honestly, I would take Aldridge over Davis for next season.

[D-Wade]

Premature but certainly possible in a year or so

[Killakobe81]

A b t high based on current value. But tbh, after Lebron and Durant there is not ANYONE else I would consider for a full max contract (years and money) I know others get them ...but Davis has tremendous upside plays both ends and is improving on offense. My only concern is the way he falls. When I watch him play it reminds me of young James worthy he was also long lean and explosive and ended up breaking his leg early in his career. I hope he does not, but if healthy he is the guy I would want most to build my team around after the big 2. After I would say Blake, CP3, Steph all deserve consideration, but I would take Davis.

Doesnt mean he is the third best player currently...but I would gamble in 3 years he can be.

[Killakobe81]

I can't believe they have Durant listed at #8. Guess that leaves cp0 as #2.

They did a re-vote after his injury. He was #2 in the original. One of the eSPN voters discussed this in a chat last week.

[ambchang]

I have no problem with Davis being #3, except that means CP3 is #2, and I just don't think he's worth that.

Not much of an issue with Durant at #8 due to his injury, and if the rumors of that injury would affect his jumpshot, KD will be a LOT lower than #8 in future years, so let's hope he is fine and that the injury is minor.

Assuming the injury for KD is serious, my top 3 is Lebron, Davis and Griffin (maybe Westbrook). Of course, if KD is fine, or even has a minor setback due to the injury, he'd still be my number 2, and Davis, Griffin and Westbrook will be bumped down one.

[Raven]

is that like a fantasy list or something? because if it is for actual winning impact than :lol

[Cry Havoc]

is that like a fantasy list or something? because if it is for actual winning impact than :lol

Yeah, those 21 year olds with 0 other all-nba bodies on their team should just go off. :lol

[Cry Havoc]

That's surprising. Would you take him over Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, or even Steph Curry?

This year:

LeBron - Hell no
Durant - No
Westbrook - Hell yes
Melo - Yes
Dirk - Yes
Howard - Yes, probably
Steph - Yes

Career:

LeBron - Push
Durant - Push
Everyone else: Hell yes.

Legit 7's that play D and can score are insanely rare in this league. This dude is going to be the best big in the NBA over the next decade. What is that worth to you guys? I love Steph Curry but Davis is a machine and he's only going to get better. He's worth more than any player in the league until 2024 and even a bit beyond that.

[Raven]

Yeah, those 21 year olds with 0 other all-nba bodies on their team should just go off. :lol

jrue holiday is an all star and eric gordon is one of the better sg in the league, so there is not much of an excuse this year for AD. Now one thing is potential, one thing is current ability, AD currently is nothing special he can't carry his team for now.

[Cry Havoc]

jrue holiday is an all star and eric gordon is one of the better sg in the league, so there is not much of an excuse this year for AD. Now one thing is potential, one thing is current ability, AD currently is nothing special he can't carry his team for now.

I mean, Duncan is an all-timer but he also had 50 to guide him in his formative NBA years. How invaluable was that? I don't think it's a knock on AD that he can't carry his team yet at 21.

[spurraider21]

:rollin Eric Gordon

[Raven]

I mean, Duncan is an all-timer but he also had 50 to guide him in his formative NBA years. How invaluable was that? I don't think it's a knock on AD that he can't carry his team yet at 21.

that's exactly my point, if you're #3 or even better, you have to carry your team to the play offs, period.

[CitizenDwayne]

The kid is a phenom but a little bit unproven imo. People rating him in the top 5 or even top 10 are jumping the gun, unless potential is being used a major factor.

[KL2]

That's surprising. Would you take him over Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, or even Steph Curry?

Curry
KD
Melo

0 defense, they're automatically off my list.

Westbrook as good as he is, will always be a 'tard. I pick AD.

Howard, nah, this guy is a mental midget, doesn't really play defense like he used to either, straight up lazy. AD over Howard.

Dirk, maybe over Davis, that guy is always dangerous, average defense and unstoppable offensively at times, proven playoff performer time and time again. Very hard to guard unless you've got a Splitter.

Lebron, best in the nba.

Davis gives you elite defense+offense, and can make a huge impact on everyone on the court with his shot blocking.

[Tuddy]

I don't know where the Duncan comparison comes from apart from their demeanour. Their games are the opposite - Davis is a face up big, Duncan back to the basket for the majority of his career

[Silver&Black]

#3 might be a little high for a young guy like AD....but it's not that far off. (I think it's spot-on actually)

I would take him over CP3, Dirk, Howard, Melo, Steph, etc. Basically anyone not named KD or LBJ.

[313]

Has he played a full season?

[TDMVPDPOY]

ppl say AD cant carry his team to a playoff spot, his playin in the west

if u go by no conference standings and go overall record standing 1-16 playoff spots, then they probably take a eastern team spot...

[Venti Quattro]

Honestly, I would take Aldridge over Davis for next season.

I wouldn't

[Venti Quattro]

ppl say AD cant carry his team to a playoff spot, his playin in the west

Put him in the East and he'd be playing meaningful playoff basketball

[wanggi]

One of the best PF in the league.

[Clipper Nation]

The backlash is going to be insane when Davis isn't immediately the second coming of prime KG, much like how Blake is still hated for not being a Barkley/Kemp hybrid from day 1.

[Killakobe81]

The backlash is going to be insane when Davis isn't immediately the second coming of prime KG, much like how Blake is still hated for not being a Barkley/Kemp hybrid from day 1.

Blake did get some hate but you have to admit his post-game and his jumper have both improved ...maybe the early critiques were an impetus, maybe he just has a drive to be great. But some early backlash to hype is inevitable. Even Lebron, who many can argue has exceeded his tremndous hype from HS had suffred backlash. Same with Dirk. Pretty much unless you win early like Magic or Timmy you face it. Shaq, Jordan, dirk etc faced some backlash.

[Galileo]

Davis is the next Tim Duncan and is the best player in the league for the next 10 years.

[baseline bum]

26 points
17 rebounds
9 blocks
3 steals

Damn, Unibrow for MVP?

[Cry Havoc]

The backlash is going to be insane when Davis isn't immediately the second coming of prime KG, much like how Blake is still hated for not being a Barkley/Kemp hybrid from day 1.

26 and 17 with NINE blocks tonight. :lmao

Definitely not legit. :lmao

[spurraider21]

26 and 17 with NICE blocks tonight. :lmao
they were pretty nice

[hater]

Could be as dominant as a young Shaq imo promising

[Cry Havoc]

they were pretty nice

Damn phone... :lol

[baseline bum]

I'm going to have to hit bt.davka to check this game. Fucking Davis. What a player.

[Venti Quattro]

Yeah it was against LOLando but those were some impressive numbers he put up tonight.

[TDMVPDPOY]

his stats dont mean shit if he dont get wins

just ask jkidd and his triple double
just ask kg and his statlines

but his fans and the nba will make up some shit to twist the facts

[Chris]

Those are beastly stats but he's still ranked too high. If he gets his team to the playoffs then we can talk MVP tbh

[Darth_Pelican]

Easy win. Davis looked dominant as expected vs. a very weak opponent. The biggest surprise is that Gordon didn't blow his knee out yet. Asik did exactly what the Pelicans signed him for, which was to get 17 rebounds like he did tonight. If they stay healthy, there's no reason the Pelicans can't reach the playoffs.

[Pelicans78]

Easy win. Davis looked dominant as expected vs. a very weak opponent. The biggest surprise is that Gordon didn't blow his knee out yet. Asik did exactly what the Pelicans signed him for, which was to get 17 rebounds like he did tonight. If they stay healthy, there's no reason the Pelicans can't reach the playoffs.

If they stay healthy, they should win 50+ games. Big if obviously.

But yeah, Davis was the best player playing tonight.

[DMC]

Right now I take Davis over Durant because of the injury, otherwise I take Lebron and Durant over Davis, but in that order.

[DPG21920]

I still have some concerns about the long-term spacing issues on that team. Asik is a space clogger, Tyreke isn't a shooter, Jrue is a slasher and Gordon while having the ability to spread the floor some isn't ultra reliable. They could have some seroius issues on offense as the season goes on and a lot depends on Davis's ability to consistently hit 18 foot jumpers.

Defensively, they have serious potential obviously. Asik/Davis is really solid because of Davis's ability to be mobile and play the PnR. Their guards can defend when needed.

If they could flip Gordon for a true 3/D SF, they could be really solid.

[Pelicans78]

jrue holiday is an all star and eric gordon is one of the better sg in the league, so there is not much of an excuse this year for AD. Now one thing is potential, one thing is current ability, AD currently is nothing special he can't carry his team for now.

Obviously you didn't pay attention last season when the entire roster was riddled with injuries. Plus, Gordon was a below average player last season. And Holiday is a bit overrated. Very inefficient offensively. AD had no one around him last year. How did Durant's team did his 1st two years? Lebron didn't make the playoffs until his 3rd season.

[spurraider21]

his stats dont mean shit if he dont get wins

just ask jkidd and his triple double
just ask kg and his statlines

but his fans and the nba will make up some shit to twist the facts
its a team game :lol, and he's been dragged down by one of the worst coaches in the league. they have a good starting 5 this year though, but their bench is incredibly thin. if they stay healthy they'll be a playoff team

[Pelicans78]

I still have some concerns about the long-term spacing issues on that team. Asik is a space clogger, Tyreke isn't a shooter, Jrue is a slasher and Gordon while having the ability to spread the floor some isn't ultra reliable. They could have some seroius issues on offense as the season goes on and a lot depends on Davis's ability to consistently hit 18 foot jumpers.

Defensively, they have serious potential obviously. Asik/Davis is really solid because of Davis's ability to be mobile and play the PnR. Their guards can defend when needed.

If they could flip Gordon for a true 3/D SF, they could be really solid.

Funny thing is, when the team is healthy, they're much better offensively than defensively, especially when Tyreke and Jrue are in the backcourt together. They fit perfectly together. Gordon will be hard to move with his contract.

[DPG21920]

Their bench is atrocious though and with their injury history (Anthony Davis, Gordon, Jrue, Tyreke...) that is critical. But Ryan Anderson could be a big key. They will have to rely on him to get some offense going on plenty of nights.

[Pelicans78]

People act like its AD's fault when the team doesn't win even though the entire team was decimated with injuries last season.

[Pelicans78]

Their bench is atrocious though and with their injury history (Anthony Davis, Gordon, Jrue, Tyreke...) that is critical. But Ryan Anderson could be a big key. They will have to rely on him to get some offense going on plenty of nights.

Bench is average when you mix in Anderson, but yeah Jimmer, Rivers, and Salmons is troubling. Eventually Russ Smith will get plenty of minutes off the bench, but they don't have a reliable backup center unless Withey steps up.

[Darth_Pelican]

Their bench is atrocious though and with their injury history (Anthony Davis, Gordon, Jrue, Tyreke...) that is critical. But Ryan Anderson could be a big key. They will have to rely on him to get some offense going on plenty of nights.

Ryan Anderson hit 3 consecutive 3 pointers in a 1 minute span late in the 3rd quarter which pretty much ended the game. The lead went from 4 to 13 and the Magic never recovered. He was definitely key off the bench tonight.

[Galileo]

26 points
17 rebounds
9 blocks
3 steals

Damn, Unibrow for MVP?

Galileo called it in advance. He knew it was going to happen.

[Arcadian]

26 points, 17 rebounds, 9 blocks, 3 steals, 2 assists

This guy is the true heir to Emperor Duncan.

[Chris]

Bump

[AlexJones]

#2, ahead of Curry, Durant, Russ, Harden. Never forget.

[Chris]

Honestly, I would take Aldridge over Davis for next season.

https://s17-us2.ixquick.com/cgi-bin/serveimage?url=http:%2F%2Fstream1.gifsoup.com%2Fvi ew4%2F3548723%2Fpopovich-thumbs-up-o.gif&sp=7422836f105cda6e4242f70d041198a2

:lmao Anthony Davis 3rd best player in the NBA :lmao

[TDfan2007]

He hasn't made the leap people thought he would. Instead he's gone even further from the basket. He's an all-world athlete with great touch, but his post game and playmaking are nowhere near elite

[Obstructed_View]

He hasn't made the leap people thought he would. Instead he's gone even further from the basket. He's an all-world athlete with great touch, but his post game and playmaking are nowhere near elite

You gotta blame his coaching for that. He's so devastating when he's going to the basket, and they've pulled him further and further away to the point that he's the second best big on his own team.

[Raven]

that should teach people not to put too much weight on statpadding center lines on youngsters. The moment a team adjusts is the moment you start putting any weight on those numbers.

[Chinook]

Davis just seems like he's going to end up like Robinson (GOAT potential in terms of talent but not the accolades to match). It doesn't help that he's too fragile to play center full-time. I'm not sure he's in the running for best player of this upcoming era anymore.

[AlexJones]

:lmao Anthony Davis at #2, ahead of Stephen fucking Curry to start 2015

[ambchang]

Davis just seems like he's going to end up like Robinson (GOAT potential in terms of talent but not the accolades to match). It doesn't help that he's too fragile to play center full-time. I'm not sure he's in the running for best player of this upcoming era anymore.

Robinson regularly led his team to 50+ wins with bad coaching (other than Larry Brown. I mean, the Shark?) and horribly constructed teams. The Spurs only missed the playoffs the year he played 6 games. The Spurs went from 21 wins to 56 wins in his rookie season. The went from a 59 win team to a 20-win taem the year he got injured (the Spurs had a 3-3 record even with limited minutes, and yeah I know, small sample size).

Davis is not even close to it.

[Killakobe81]

Robinson regularly led his team to 50+ wins with bad coaching (other than Larry Brown. I mean, the Shark?) and horribly constructed teams. The Spurs only missed the playoffs the year he played 6 games. The Spurs went from 21 wins to 56 wins in his rookie season. The went from a 59 win team to a 20-win taem the year he got injured (the Spurs had a 3-3 record even with limited minutes, and yeah I know, small sample size).

Davis is not even close to it.

I am with Amb again on this one. David was really, really good. A game changer at Center who ran the court like pippen, had the chiseled frame a quick first step for a center and defended the rim like Hakeem. his post game was not as polished as you would like but I think he does everything better than Davis except shoot 3's and maybe FT's ...off the top of my head. havent looked at the numbers.

[spursistan]

Media, even some smart types, have gotten a little overexcited in their hype of AD..Without even addressing the deficiencies in game, which are real and limiting, i would never look past the next game, let alone all-time projection, for a a guy with this injury track record..

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYYtDvmWkAAkXMU.png

[Chinook]

Robinson regularly led his team to 50+ wins with bad coaching (other than Larry Brown. I mean, the Shark?) and horribly constructed teams. The Spurs only missed the playoffs the year he played 6 games. The Spurs went from 21 wins to 56 wins in his rookie season. The went from a 59 win team to a 20-win taem the year he got injured (the Spurs had a 3-3 record even with limited minutes, and yeah I know, small sample size).

Davis is not even close to it.

Two things: First, Davis is still younger than Robinson was when he first entered the league. Second, I said he'd be like Robinson, and I was talking about his place in this era. He's not as good as David, but the bigs aren't as good, either. So it evens out.

[Chinook]

Media, even some smart types, have gotten a little overexcited in their hype of AD..Without even addressing the deficiencies in game, which are real and limiting, i would never look past the next game, let alone all-time projection, for a a guy with this injury track record..

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYYtDvmWkAAkXMU.png

Well, Kawhi missed 60 games in his first four seasons. So I wouldn't limit Davis solely based on this.

[spursistan]

Davis is an amazing player..BUT the media may have overrated his overall impact..Those TD/Lebron comparisons as far as franchise transcendental effect are a joke, at least for now..

How about compare him with another lower tier player? I mean, are we seriously going to forget that Russel Westbrook, with knee issues last year, near dragged that equally defenseless and depleted Thunder team by himself (no Ibaka/Durant) to the playoffs in a much stronger Western conference?

that's what Davis hasn't been able to do thus far: translating his numbers to gutsy team wins..and the Pelicans have been healthy for 15 or so more games..his game as currently built isn't conducive to making teammates better..he is not a guard, yet he chooses to camp on the perimeter wait for plays to be made for him..As long his post-up chops are that embarrassing for his size/athleticism, I don't see him breaking through in the playoffs without being flanked by a couple of elite talents.

[TheGreatYacht]

He's a shit defender that puts up empty stats, nothing more. Would take Drummond over him any day

[ambchang]

Two things: First, Davis is still younger than Robinson was when he first entered the league. Second, I said he'd be like Robinson, and I was talking about his place in this era. He's not as good as David, but the bigs aren't as good, either. So it evens out.

Ok, I am fine with that.

But I cannot see Davis ever being as good as Robinson. He has the skills, the problem is that the Pelicans are not developing him properly. Robinson having Larry Brown to start off his career really helped him out.

[apalisoc_9]

Davis is overrated but hes infintley better than Drummond. Thats a hilarious take. Drummond neither is a strong offebsive threat ot a defensive stud.

Somalian has really helped drummond up his career.

[TheSanityAnnex]

Davis is overrated but hes infintley better than Drummond. Thats a hilarious take. Drummond neither is a strong offebsive threat ot a defensive stud.

Somalian has really helped drummond up his career.

:lol http://www.si.com/nba/2016/01/21/detroit-pistons-andre-drummond-missed-free-throws-record-rockets

[SAGirl]

Davis is an amazing player..BUT the media may have overrated his overall impact..Those TD/Lebron comparisons as far as franchise transcendental effect are a joke, at least for now..

How about compare him with another lower tier player? I mean, are we seriously going to forget that Russel Westbrook, with knee issues last year, near dragged that equally defenseless and depleted Thunder team by himself (no Ibaka/Durant) to the playoffs in a much stronger Western conference?

that's what Davis hasn't been able to do thus far: translating his numbers to gutsy team wins..and the Pelicans have been healthy for 15 or so more games..his game as currently built isn't conducive to making teammates better..he is not a guard, yet he chooses to camp on the perimeter wait for plays to be made for him..As long his post-up chops are that embarrassing for his size/athleticism, I don't see him breaking through in the playoffs without being flanked by a couple of elite talents.
I agree, whether it is bc his lack of a polished post up game that would allow him to dominate close to the basket and create for others, or for other reasons... he hasn't been great enough to catapult his team to relevance. He is young, and his team was injured, depleted, underachieving, and his coaches lacking. It is not all on him. He is still learning how to play at his age, and he wasn't fully developed when he arrived in the league either. I am not sure having him shoot the 3 is a good idea, unless he's providing spacing for another dominant player, part of a 2 man punch like westbrook/Durant. He lacks a second star.

KAT is in a better overall situation. Although his team is young and underachieving, he has other young guys with potential, and the veteran presence of Kevin Garnett. YOu need veterans like that to keep your head up when you are struggling, and who also challenge and motivate you to get better. I think the Wolves overall are in a better situation than the Pelicans.

It looks like we will see many KAT/Davis matches in the future.

[Chris]

:lol

[RsxPiimp]

Don't want to hear anymore excuses, Brow is K. Love 2.0....Embiid is doing more with less in Philly.

[DMC]

Why does anyone even remotely think Duncan's greatness is due to his stats? Some of you root for teams that have never crossed over into the NBA. Get off the stat sheet shit. Focus on how it affects the team. AD is a beast, no doubt, but when he makes the playoffs let me know.

[Chris]

Davis is the next Tim Duncan and is the best player in the league for the next 10 years.

:lol

[Mr. Body]

Does anybody remember who this guy is?

[MI21]

His lack of a back to the basket game is quite shocking, actually. Obviously still an elite player but his defense isn't as advertised...

[-21-]

He's left the Thunder game with a thigh bruise. Damn this guy is fragile.

[Raven]

yup.