New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis is ‘the most complete big man’

By Andrew Melnick | Aug 16, 2014

Apr 6, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) s[eak with referee Haywoode Workman (66) during the third quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. The Blazers won the game 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

When the New Orleans Pelicans selected big man Anthony Davis with the number one-overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, they believed Davis would eventually develop into an elite player. It looks like that may be happening earlier than they imagined.

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Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders believes Davis is the league’s “most complete big man.”

"I’m really eager to see what Anthony Davis and his (finally healthy) Pelicans can do in a tough WC this year. I make it no secret that I think Davis is already the most complete big man in the game, and he’s only getting better as he continues to develop physically and on the court. It won’t be easy in such a deep pool, but I think they can really compete for a playoff spot if they can somehow find a way to stay healthy this year."

Davis is right – if Davis wants more recognition, he’ll need his teammates to step up as well. Getting power forward Ryan Anderson and point guard Jrue Holiday back from injury and adding a fantastic defensive big man in Omer Asik should really help.

Davis averaged 20.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 51.9% from the field, 22.2% from three and 79.1% from the free throw line last season. He’s gone for 17.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 51.8% from the floor, 13.3% from three and 77.7% from the free throw line in his career.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.