NBA Player Power Rankings: The Top 20 Players Of 2016-17

Feb 18, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) and Western Conference guard James Harden of the Houston Rockets (13) during the NBA All-Star Practice at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 7, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives to the net for a layup in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 122-106. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Power Forward
Age: 24 (3/11/1993)
Experience: 5th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .505/.299/.802
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.1 MPG, 28.0 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 2.1 APG, 2.2 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 0.5 3PM

The New Orleans Pelicans are missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season, but keeping Anthony Davis out of the Top 10 would be tough to justify. He’s one of the most productive players in NBA history and there’s no hyperbole about that.

At 24 years of age, Davis is already posting numbers that compare to the greatest players to ever grace the Association—and his prime is still ahead of him.

In 2016-17, Davis became the first player to average 28.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000-01. That alone is reason to herald Davis for what truly was an unforgettable individual season.

With an offseason to develop chemistry with DeMarcus Cousins, Davis could be even better in 2016-17, even if his numbers slightly decline.

What makes Davis such a special player is that he competes on both ends of the floor. Many players put up numbers on bad teams, but only a select few can be relied upon to compete on defense when the team isn’t winning.

Davis still has the makings of a franchise player, and in 2017-18, the pressure will finally mount to be a star on a contender.