Looking Forward: The first big challenge for Anthony Davis

Let’s just say it. Anthony Davis took everyone by storm in game one of the season. The performance was spectacular. 26 points, 17 rebounds, nine offensive rebounds, nine blocks, three steals and two assists. That’s a dominating way to start the season. Another big stat in this game is one……one win. The Pelicans start off the year with a victory next to their name. However for New Orleans and Anthony Davis, their next five game stretch will be the first big challenge of the season.

The stretch involves five straight games against playoff teams from last season, three of them being in the gauntlet known as the Western Conference. Each of these teams also brings a tough challenge to Anthony Davis specifically, as each possesses a talented player at the power forward or center position hat Anthony Davis will have to keep up with in order for New Orleans to come away with a victory. So let’s take a look at each one of those games and break down how Davis can be successful.

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Saturday, November 1st vs. Dallas Mavericks

Matchup: Dirk Nowitzki

Objective: Defend the Post-Up plays and attack in transition

Anthony Davis starts off the gauntlet on Saturday against one of the most prolific scorers to ever play the power forward position in Dirk Nowitzki. No matter his age, Dirk is still one of the toughest bigs to guard in the NBA. Dallas is going to set up plays to get Nowitzki posted up on Anthony Davis and let him go to work. Dirk likes to size up his opponent before fading away to get his arms open for an almost automatic jumper. It’s up to AD in this match-up to know his limits and not get in foul trouble against the savvy veteran, while contesting his shots. Davis should also look to use his speed and length to attack the boards and run on the fastbreak for some easier points vs. the older Nowitzki, who can be caught trailing on transition as the Mavs rely on center Tyson Chandler to pick up the slack.

Monday, November 3rd @ Memphis Grizzlies

Matchup: Zach Randolph

Objective: Keep him from bullying you and force them to guard outside the paint

After the high scoring Mavericks, AD and the Pelicans will go up against the complete opposite of the fast gunning style of Dallas, as they play the “Grit-and-Grind” Memphis Grizzlies. Davis will be matched up against the bullish 260-pound Zach Randolph, known for dominating the glass and pushing his opponents hard on post-ups to get into the paint for easy layups. For Davis to take advantage, he’s going to need to play smart on defense vs. Z-Bo. That means to be willing to take charges when Randolph posts up too hard, while trying to swipe at the ball if he’s not protecting it. AD also should focus on his mid-range jumper and force Z-Bo to come outside the paint to guard him, opening up the paint again when he pump-fakes.

Tuesday, November 4th vs. Charlotte Bobcats

Matchup: Marvin Williams/Cody Zeller

Objective: Adapt to the situation and take command of the game

In the most favorable match-up of the stretch, the Pelicans will take on the Hornets at home on a back-to-back. The Hornets like to use a combo of power forwards, giving Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller similar amounts of time on the floor. Marvin is much more a stretch four, whose willing to take a lot of threes if he’s left open from behind the arc. Cody Zeller is much more a traditional PF, who likes to play in the post and box out his opponent on both ends in attempt to command the glass. He also might see time against the behemoth center for Charlotte in Al Jefferson. Davis is going to need to be flexible in this match-up, adapting his game to each player he’s matched up against. This is also a game he should look to take command of on the offensive end, with neither Charlotte power forward being a defensive threat against him.

Saturday, November 8th @ San Antonio Spurs

Matchup: Tim Duncan/Boris Diaw

Objective: Cause havoc on the defensive end and be smart with offensive decisions

After Charlotte, the Pelicans will get four days rest before playing the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, a team that has dominated New Orleans throughout their franchise history. Anthony Davis will have to guard a combination of Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw throughout the game, assuming Omer Asik guards Tiago Splitter. Duncan is one of the best power forwards to ever play the game, and has earned his accomplishments by keeping his match-ups off the glass and being in control of the paint. Diaw helps space the floor for San Antonio, with a decent outside shooting game and an aggressive energy and effort plays that involve 50-50 balls. Playing against a Spurs team that runs their offense through good ball movement, AD will have to try to disrupt the swift passing of the Spurs with his long wingspan and cause havoc inside the paint. On the offensive end, Davis and the Pelicans will want to play smart, not wasting opportunities against a team stashed with smart, savy veterans.

Monday, November 10th @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Matchup: Kevin Love

Objective: Try to remove Love from the offense and make him work on defense.

The Pelicans will not have it any easier after San Antonio, traveling all the way to Cleveland to play LeBron James and his new look Cavs, just two days from their previous game. Anthony Davis will be asked to keep Kevin Love, a player many consider one of the best power forwards in the game, in check if New Orleans is to win. Love is known for being an absolute glass eater to go along with his deadly range from behind the arc. While New Orleans will have to try and slow down LeBron, Davis should focus on Love and Love alone in this game, doing everything he can to keep him from having a huge rebounding game. While he wants to contest Love’s shots and make life tough on the offensive end, he needs to make sure he’s controlled. In his past match-up guarding Love, Davis chalked up 5 fouls in 41 minutes, with Love getting 17 free throw attempts. That can’t happen if New Orleans wants to win. He also has to tire Love out on the defensive end, using his speed and size to wear him down, making him an easier match-up on defense.

These next five games will tell us a lot about this Pelicans team and how close they really are to contending for a playoff spot. Many are starting to consider if Anthony Davis is the best power forward in the NBA, and this tiring test of powerhouse competition may be the chance for him to make his mark. In a stretch of 10 days, Davis will have to guard many different and difficult varieties of players, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. His ability to identify those weaknesses and take advantage of them maybe the difference between the Pelicans struggling in a stretch of tough games, or New Orleans having an impressive showing in a tough schedule stretch. This could make waves around the league. If all goes well, this could be the time Davis takes yet another step in his rise to stardom in the NBA.