Saturday, January 21, 2012

Anthony Davis; What Makes Him the Number One Player in the Nation

Kentucky's 6'10" center out of Chicago, Illinois Anthony Davis has been an absolute menace out on the floor this season. His presence frightens the opposition.

Davis is averaging an outstanding 13.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and a nation leading 4.7 blocks per game. But the numbers do not say it all for Davis. His presence down on the block sends opposing coaches minds into a frenzy. How do you attack the basket around him? Want to know how? Well.... you can't. His long, but strong body allows him to affect any shot from 10 feet to the basket.

While Davis does block nearly 5 shots a game, it would be interesting to see how many shots he affects. Not blocks, but alters. Watching the Kentucky-Alabama game today I noticed something. Players are afraid to attack the basket with Davis down low. When they do, they often have to get a shot up over Davis' 7'4" wingspan. He will absolutely demolish the single-season blocks record for Kentucky by the end of the season. He has already broken the record and it is barely 20 games in.

Davis has had NINE games with 5+ blocks and a season-high of 8. That game he had 8 blocks, he also just-so happened to have 15 points and 15 rebounds, nearing a rare triple-double. Do not expect this man, yes man, to slow down anytime soon. He is only going to improve. He is beginning to take more shots and have a bigger offensive affect than in the early season.

While Kentucky does have too many weapons to even try defending, Davis may be their best. He gets at it defensively, runs the floor, and gets the easy points down low.

Any young player trying to learn the big-man game should watch film of Anthony Davis. He is an all-around great player. Might it be the power of the uni-brow? It might be, but either way Davis will look to be a continuous threat for the rest of the season.









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