Team USA: Anthony Davis to have huge role with team

One of the best things about the FIBA World Cup is having a chance to see some of the young stars on the NBA blossom on a world stage. This year’s team, devoid of established stars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Paul George, Chris Paul or anyone on the San Antonio Spurs stands in position to stage a breakout performance by an up-and-comer.

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That brings us to Anthony Davis, one of the most intriguing young players in the league whose ceiling is seemingly as high as James’ or Durant’s.

Team USA Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said the team is still looking for an identity with Durant and George leaving the team.

"Well Anthony would have had a huge role no matter what. Anthony is one of the best players in the NBA. But with those two guys (gone), I think scoring-wise, he’ll get more opportunities, because if you have Durant, you are going to put things in for him. So, when he is not there, then those things aren’t in, so for everybody it becomes a little bit more available. But Anthony played a great a game against Brazil; not a good game. He had an influence on every exchange, offensively or defensively, while he was in there."

Davis is known as a defensive power house capable of impossible blocks and altering an opponent’s offense on almost every possession. That much he has already proven in two NBA seasons. His offensive game is still evolving, though. He can hit a mid-range jumper but doesn’t have an arsenal of post moves or any sort of expanded range.

If what Coach K says is true, we should see more opportunities for Davis on the world cup stage than what we typically see from him in New Orleans, and could be witnesses of The Brow reaching the next stage in his career arch.

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