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New Orleans Pelicans: 25 Best Players To Play For The Pelicans

By Phil Watson

Oct 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view from the court during the second half of a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Miami Heat at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Heat 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view from the court during the second half of a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Miami Heat at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Heat 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

69. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 1st overall pick from Kentucky, 2012 NBA Draft.. PF-C. 2012-16. Anthony Davis. 2. player

The New Orleans Hornets won the lottery in 2012 and took consensus national player of the year Anthony Davis with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. Davis, as a freshman, led Kentucky to a national title while averaging more than 14 points and 10 rebounds a game.

NOP_02_DAVIS
NOP_02_DAVIS /

He was an All-Rookie selection for the Hornets in 2012-13 .

Davis has gone on since the team was renamed the Pelicans to become a multiple-time All-Star and an All-NBA and All-Defensive selection in 2014-15.

Davis was fifth in the MVP voting in 2014-15, as well, and has led the NBA in blocks each of the last two seasons while finishing fourth in scoring in 2014-15.

His 30.8 Player Efficiency Rating in 2014-15 was also the top mark in the league and was the 12th-highest mark of all-time.

In 2015-16, Davis was again slowed by injury but still picked up his third straight All-Star nod.

Injuries have been a recurring theme for Davis.

In 2015-16, he dealt with a strained hip, a shoulder injury, a bruised back, a concussion and a big toe injury before being shut down for the season to have surgery on both his left knee and a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

In 61 games, he averaged 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.3 steals in 35.5 minutes per game while shooting .493/.324/.758.

Davis was fourth in the NBA in blocks for the year. But he also flashed his massive potential when he broke the club’s single-game scoring record with 59 points on Feb. 21, 2016, at Detroit.

In four seasons in New Orleans, Davis has averaged 20.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.3 steals in 33.9 minutes per game, shooting .516/.281/.780.

He signed a five-year contract extension in July 2015 and is under contract with the Pelicans through 2020-21.

Next: CP3 Was Team’s First True Superstar

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