Anthony Davis averaged 24.4 points per game last season, the fourth best mark in the league. He shot 53.5 percent from the field and 80.5 percent from the free throw line. He racked up 150 dunks and made 232 shots outside of the paint, too.
2014-15 was a banner season for Davis, basically, one that culminated with his debut on the All-NBA First Team and a fifth-place finish in MVP voting. And as the fourth season of his burgeoning career approaches, there’s every reason to believe the 22-year-old will reach even more exalted heights – both in the immediate future and beyond.
It speaks volumes of Davis’ incredible growth over the past three seasons that he’s at least as big an offensive force as he is a defensive one. This was a player drafted primarily for his prowess on the latter side of the ball; in a flash, he’s become one of the most effective and efficient scorers in the game. And here’s the scary part: the Kentucky product has yet to find his true niche as an offensive player.
To wit, the New Orleans Pelicans superstar answered simply and succinctly on media day when asked for his go-to move.
Anthony Davis on if he has a go-to move: “Yeah, score the basketball.”
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) September 28, 2015
Sounds about right. Below are some quick facts about Davis from last season that should terrify the rest of the NBA.
- He shot 46.2 percent on catch-and-shoot jumpers, .2 percent worse than Steph Curry.
- Only three big men in basketball made a better percentage of pull-up jumpers than his 41.7.
- Among players who attempted at least six shots per game from the restricted area, his 71.2 percent conversion rate ranked second in the league.
- When it comes to points per possession, he finished in the 98th percentile in transition, 96th percentile as a cutter, 89th percentile in put-backs, 85th percentile as a pick-and-roll dive man, and 78th percentile in general isolation situations.
Where did he lag behind in 2014-15, a season the majority of which he played at 21-years-old? In the post and from beyond the arc, naturally. But don’t worry, Pelicans fans; Davis put in work all offseason to ensure those relative weaknesses will become just another one of his many, many strengths.
How? He’s up to a terrifying 253 pounds due to regimented nutrition and weight-lifting plans, and showed off effortless three-point range in a workout video from early this summer.
What will be Davis’ signature move in 2015-16, then? Scoring, of course – pretty much however the hell he wants.
*Statistical support for this post courtesy of nba.com/stats.
