New Orleans Pelicans: 3 goals for Anthony Davis in 2018-19

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23: NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23 Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after scoring against the Miami Heat during overtime at Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23: NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23 Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after scoring against the Miami Heat during overtime at Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Anthony Davis is universally considered a top-five player in the NBA. Here are three things he can do in 2018-19 to take the mantle of “world’s best player” from LeBron James.

Anthony Davis is a generational talent, and he’s still just 25 years old. After DeMarcus Cousins tore his Achilles in late-January and some some eulogized the New Orleans Pelicans‘ season, Anthony Davis went supernova, carrying the Pelicans not just to the playoffs, but into the Western Conference semifinals.

Davis posted 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.3 assists per game on his way to his second straight All-NBA First Team selection and a third overall finish in MVP voting. What’s scarier, however, is that 2018-19 figures to be the first full season of his prime.

The Brow is a superstar on both ends of the floor, and with LeBron James continuing to rack up the basketball miles on his body, Stephen Curry and James Harden‘s respective defensive ceilings, and Kevin Durant‘s reluctant to embrace centerstage for the Golden State Warriors, Davis could well finish the 2018-19 season as the world’s best player.

Leading the Pelicans without Cousins will make Anthony Davis’s life harder as New Orleans looks to make just its third playoff appearance during his career, but if he proves up to the task, there will be little to stop his generational ascent.