Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: The Association’s All-Future Team

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Mar 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward center Anthony Davis (23) looks to shoot as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward center Anthony Davis (23) looks to shoot as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) during the first half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

F: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Power Forward

Age: 23 (3/11/1993)

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 1 (2012)

Slash Line: .493/.324/.758

Season Averages: 35.5 MPG, 24.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.9 APG, 2.0 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 3PM

The New Orleans Pelicans have a bright future, and that much is true because of the franchise player. Already elite at 23—an age he turned less than two weeks ago—Anthony Davis has already led New Orleans to an improbable postseason appearance.

A 2015 All-NBA First Team honoree and two-time league leader in blocks per game, Davis is well on his way towards one day winning NBA MVP.

Davis was expected to be a shot-blocking monster coming out of college, but no one knew how quickly he’d develop offensively. He’s already a nightly threat for 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds, which makes his upside as a defensive anchor all the more compelling

The elephant in the room: Davis can’t seem to stay healthy.

When healthy, Davis is already one of the Top 10 players in the NBA—something that no one else in his age range can accurately claim.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, only two players averaged at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steal in three consecutive seasons with streaks ending or beginning in 1995-96. The first two players to do so were Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson, and Davis joined them in 2015-16.

Take the steal out of the equation and the list consists of Davis, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, and Robinson.

Simply put, Davis is already on a Hall of Fame pace—if he can remain healthy.

Next: Built for Glory