2012-2013 NBA Rookie Class Re-Rack: Damian Lillard Ranking
By David MacKay
Nov 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis (23) against the Charlotte Bobcats during the first quarter of a game at New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
#1: Anthony Davis
Draft placement: 1
College: University of Kentucky
NBA team: New Orleans Pelicans
Position: Forward/Center
The former Kentucky Wildcat was the consensus number one pick for good reason. So many players these days boast a 6’10” frame, but seldom paired with defensive instincts and overall basketball IQ like Davis. As much as I love Damian Lillard, we would be fooling ourselves to think his Rookie of the Year selection would have been unanimous had Davis stayed healthy. The Pelicans (then Hornets) shut him down for the 2012-2013 season in April after an MRI revealed an MCL sprain.
He’d been nagged by injury throughout his rookie campaign, rarely playing at 100% during the 64 games in which he was active. With a year of experience and (more importantly) a summer of rest, we are seeing a whole new gear from Anthony Davis. As a sophomore, he is averaging 19.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game; intermittently leading the league in PER (player efficiency rating).
This is more than the Pelicans could have hoped for. Davis has surpassed expectation and is still far from his ceiling. If he continues at this rate, it will take another significant injury to bump him from the top spot among the 2012-2013 rookie class. Anthony Davis is realistically an early frontrunner for both Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year. One month into the current season, he has taken a commanding lead over his peers.
2013-2014 Highlight game: Career high 32 points, 12 rebounds, 6 blocks vs. the Los Angeles Lakers