Hoops Habit
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NBA Player Power Rankings: Superstars Keep Making History

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shake hands after a game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shake hands after a game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) defends against New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 108-100. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) defends against New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 108-100. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Power Forward
Age: 24 (3/11/1993)
Experience: 5th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .507/.308/.800
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.2 MPG, 27.9 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 2.2 APG, 2.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 3PM

At 24 years of age, Anthony Davis is already one of the most statistically prolific players in NBA history. Having just one postseason appearance on his resume undoubtedly hurts, but Davis is stuffing the stat sheet in historic ways.

Though it may be a case of too little, too late, the New Orleans Pelicans are beginning to realize the potential that Davis and DeMarcus Cousins have together.

New Orleans went 2-2 this past week, including competitive losses to the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz. Davis made victory a realistic pursuit by finishing with 33 points and 16 rebounds on 14-of-24 shooting against Houston.

Davis also tallied 36 points, 17 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and three steals on 12-of-23 shooting during the loss to Utah.

During New Orleans’ victories, Davis was just as impressive. He dominated the Denver Nuggets with 31 points and 13 rebounds on 12-of-17 shooting from the field in three quarters, and picked up 30 points and 13 rebounds on 11-of-21 shooting against the Dallas Mavericks.

New Orleans may have to wait until next season to make the playoffs, but Davis is on pace to become the first player to average at least 27.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per game since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000-01.