Anthony Davis will be the best player in the NBA.
It’s more of an inevitability than a question.
Davis – who averaged 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 1.5 steals per game last season – is a dynamic force on both ends of the floor. He shoots from outside, drives to the basket, finishes, runs the floor, crashes the glass, protects the rim and hounds smaller players on the perimeter all at elite levels.
And he’s just 22.
The sky is the limit. Davis could join the shortest lists of all-time greats.
But when will he become the best in the present?
This could be the moment.
LeBron James is on the wrong side of 30. Kevin Durant is coming off major injury. Stephen Curry hasn’t proven himself on this level over multiple seasons.
Everything is coming together for Davis.
Monty Williams helped Davis acclimate to the pros, but Alvin Gentry’s scheming can unleash Davis’ full arsenal of skills. Davis was built to run, and Gentry is installing an up-tempo scheme.
Davis has teammates – Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, Omer Asik, Ryan Anderson – who will keep his burden from being too large. But none of them are good enough to make Davis defer.
The Pelicans need Davis to play great. He can’t take a couple-week vacation, let his point guard take over the offense or just fit in defensively.
Davis’ time is coming – if it’s not already here.
