NBA Player Power Rankings: Who's Hot, Who's Not?

NBA Player Power Rankings: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?

January 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after shooting a three-point shot during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

16 of 23

Jan 13, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Last Rank: No. 8

Position: Power Forward

Age: 22

Slash Line: .484/.286/.755

Season Averages: 35.6 MPG, 22.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.1 ORPG, 1.7 APG, 2.5 BPG, 1.3 SPG

Verdict: Not

Anthony Davis is unfathomably good for a player at 22 years of age. He’s one of the Top 5 pure talents in the NBA, and doesn’t seem to have a true weakness in his game from a statistical perspective.

Unfortunately, a back injury forces Davis to temporarily slip in the Player Power Rankings.

Davis suffered a back contusion just three minutes into Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, which forced him to sit for the next two outings. He returned with 24 points and 10 rebounds in a 109-97 win over the Sacramento Kings, but injuries are becoming a growing concern.

Davis, who missed at least 14 games in each of his first three seasons, has already been sidelined for five games in 2015-16.

When he’s healthy and active, there isn’t much that one can do to prevent Davis from imposing his will on a game. He’s an elite shot-blocker who creates turnovers, moves well in transition, finishes in traffic, plays along the low and high posts, has a 3-point jump shot, and routinely hurts teams from midrange.

Here’s hoping that Davis can have an easier time staying healthy from hereon out.

Next: Jimmy Gets Buckets