Anthony Davis ~ A Rich Man's Joe Smith?

[Fred Roberts]

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not that enthralled with Anthony "Brow" Davis. Based on the few games I saw in the tourney, I think the guy looks quick, has extremely long arms, can shoot and play a strong complimentary role. I did not get the sense that this kid was dominant on the level of a LSU Shaq, Vandy Duncan, OSU Oden and guys of that nature. I also can't envision him becoming that dominant.

Based on the height/weight (6'10", 222) alone, I was reminded of another #1 overall pick, Joe Smith (6'10", 221). Clearly, Joe became a journey man and is considered a bust, but he's also had a decent career with averages of around 10/11 pts, 6/7 boards. He had a couple years early on where he averaged a double double scoring in the high teens, pushing 20 pts per game. 

Joe Smith was known at Maryland as a hard worker with outstanding shot blocking,  tremendous athleticism, a great outside shot and all the types of accolades that would make him the #1 overall pick. Sounds familiar. Size wise, he was built just like Senor Brow (trademark).

I looked up some old scout info from that draft's top big men prospects (including KG, Sheed, Joe Smith, Ratliff and others) for those interested. The breakdown on Smith isn't all that different than Davis.  http://www.ibiblio.org/craig/draft/1995_draft/scout/pf.html

Bottom line, Joe Smith looked like a great prospect back then and he turned out to be a good prospect. Anthony Davis looks like a great one now too, but I'm not convinced his upside and potential is that much better. Maybe it's just very good.

I'm not going to predict much of anything for Davis, and I don't think he'll be an NBA journey man like Smith. However, I think the hype is a bit much and I don't think he's going to ever carry a team a la Shaq, Duncan, Garnett. I think he'll be a solid complimentary player, superb defender and decent offensive player.

Ultimately, I bet there will be someone else that emerges from the 1st round that is widely considered a better player in a few years time. If so, who will that be?? Or am I wrong?

[pearljammer10]

Davis will be much much better on the defensive end then Joe Smith ever was. Dudes got a 7' 6'' wing span... He is going to be a shot block machine in his early prime.

[MBunge]

I'm pretty sure Davis will be closer to Joe Smith and a combination of KG and Tim Duncan, which I've heard him described as.

Mike

[jyyzzoel]

SOMEONE ELSE FINALLY SAID IT!!!

  yeah, ive been thinking that!!! but it goes against everything i believe... see im a diehard wagesofwins.com guy and they just said:

"Anthony Davis is really,really,really good. He does not have the highest projected score in my database. He has the third highest in 18 years. He is 19 years old. Most important #1 Pick since Tim Duncan."

but yeah... he will definitely be better than joe smith... but tim duncan - i dont know about that. also, it'll be hard to tell even if his first season goes well, as even joe smith had a pretty good 1st season.

he wont be another KG. the weird thing is joe smiths numbers are pretty comparable to davis' in college. however joe smith was about 9 months older than davis when he got drafted, which leaves davis 9 more months to develop - which is a lot.

however, when you compare davis' numbers to marcus camby's davis basically kills camby:

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/anthony-davis-5.html

vs.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/marcus-camby-1.html

then you keep in mind that cambys second year numbers in college are comparable to davis' first year in college (with davis still being better), and also note that even had camby been drafted 1st year out of college - davis would still be younger than camby was, and therefore have time to grow... or as the scouts call it "potential" 

this post was a little more stream-of-consciousness than i anticipated... but i guess i hadnt really analysed his game in too much detail before this post... but, i would say the kids floor is marcus camby, and his ceiling is tim duncan:

therefore he's absolutely worthy of going #1 overall, and any general manager who doesn't do it would be beyond stupid... and to come to this conclusion, i have had to swallow my pride, as i admit to having publicly questioned whether MKG will end up being the best player from this draft instead of anthony davis 

[SHAQATTACK]

He reminds me of a Young KG.  

He'll be a waste in NO for few years and wind up on the Lakers like all the good players eventually do.

[jyyzzoel]

He reminds me of a Young KG.  

He'll be a waste in NO for few years and wind up on the Lakers like all the good players eventually do.

ditto.

[mctyson]

Duncan went to wake forest

[Hanson6]

all right

[KevinConnor]

Bad comparison. As soon as Smith got the big contract all the desire in Smith to become a top notch player disappeared. Not much love for basketball. I don't see that happening with Davis.

[Smutzy#9]

Davis is going to be a super star. Probably wont make an all star game his first season like Blake did (but we all know dunking is what makes a player.......)

The thing I loved seeing from him. During his work outs his coach "your hardly going to get any calls so learn to love the contact" and you see him being bashed around with the training gloves on in the post.

Kid knows what to expect and he is working on everything. Imagine someone like the big green machine coaching him on post play