Pelicans forward Anthony Davis will be selected as an NBA MVP at some point in his career. With so many deserving candidates this year, it probably won’t happen, even though he’s in the running so long as his banged up Pelicans remain in the playoff race out West. But his inexperience and own injury troubles will probably nix his candidacy this season.
But Kevin Durant was right, Brow is “next in line.”
While genetics have blessed Davis with a body right out of a basketball-shaped test tube, in order to take the next step in his evolution as a superstar, he has to want to get better. Improvement must be pathological in players of his ilk. His decision to go back on the court Wednesday night after a two-point loss to the Rockets, is a clear indication he’s in that same hyper-competitive mold.
Davis scored 24 points in the loss, with 14 rebounds, three steals and three blocks against a Rockets team who trotted out Dwight Howard for the first time in over 20 games. But Davis’ performance at the stripe — just 6-of-14 — negated any crowing. Without any prompting from coaches, he went back on the court to practice his free throws:
He put up enough free-throw shots until he made a 100 before heading to the locker room to shower. There were no Pelicans coaches around, just one of the Pelicans’ attendants retrieving the ball after Davis put up his shots.
No one told Davis to practice. He did it on his own.
“I missed eight free throws,” Davis said. “I don’t feel comfortable missing eight free throws, especially when we lost by two. I make eight free throws, we win by six. I just don’t like it missing free throws like that. We needed them and I missed them.”
Chris Paul put up shots in a dark Staples Center last season after a tough loss to the Warriors where he almost finished with a triple-double. His shot had been off, so he went back out there to get some reps in.
Countless players do this, specifically those 10, 11, 12 guys on the bench who don’t get to see game action. It’s a way to stay prepared for when their number is called. But Davis is already a household named with a trademarked bit of facial hair and a game that just keeps getting better.
Practicing free throws long after everyone has gone home is just the sort of anecdote that helps prove prophetic his MVP future.
