Please let Anthony Davis be Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis has vaulted the New Orleans Pelicans into a position that the franchise hasn’t been in, arguably, ever. According to multiple reports, the Pelicans will be one of the headline games opening the NBA this season, and will also be one of the few teams that get to play on Christmas day.

Everybody knows that playing on Christmas is a big deal, and is probably the NBA’s biggest day, but opening night is another honor all together. The schedule makers always put their biggest franchises and names on national TV for opening night, but playing both games in the same season? That’s a rare occurrence that not many teams get to take part in, and New Orleans will be one of those lucky few. If there’s anybody to thank for this it’s obviously Anthony Davis.

As wonderful a city New Orleans is, the Pelicans franchise isn’t historic enough, or in a large enough market, to garner the immediate national TV respect of the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, or Chicago Bulls. Big markets and franchises like that practically get automatic bids to these gigantic national TV events, while franchises like the Pelicans need a key to gain that kind of attention.

Last season, Anthony Davis came into his own and ascended to the ranks of NBA superstardom. Davis, is the Pelicans key to the national attention that every franchise craves.

However, with that attention comes a new kind of expectation. Public opinion, and experts, will be looking for anything in Davis game that they can pick apart, or find fault in. This may seem like a strange thing to have happen, but it fits a very annoying pattern that the NBA is very used to.

Last season, fans everywhere made sure to build up the legend of Anthony Davis. They praised his monster, and historic, numbers while letting losses and .500 basketball slide. As Davis led New Orleans to their first playoff berth since Chris Paul was in town, the media also ignored that he left his first appearance without a win. That’s pretty normal after all. Unfortunately, that grace period is likely going to come to a screeching halt.

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Everybody has heard some, if not all, of the main narratives before.

“LeBron James is a failure in the clutch, and needs a group of superstars to help him win at anything.”

“All Blake Griffin can do is dunk, and his game outside of that isn’t very good at all. Don’t even get started on his defense.”

“Russell Westbrook shoots too much, and takes away shots from Kevin Durant.”

“Chris Paul has never gotten out of the second round of the playoffs. He just isn’t good enough to get his team over the hump.”

This is a trend that is not only annoying, but very prevalent in the sports world. A player gets a year, or two, of positive public opinion as everybody can do nothing but build them up. It’s a honeymoon period where mistakes are forgiven, losses are explained away with logic, and ridiculous narratives are never brought into the conversation.

Once the player has been built all the way up however, the honeymoon period is over, and players go under an unfair microscope. Their greatness just isn’t good enough, and their failures are the worst thing that could ever happen. Very few players escape this kind of treatment, and it’s unlikely Anthony Davis will be one of those lucky few.

The reason Davis won’t be able to escape it is simply because he’s good enough to be the best player in the NBA at some point of his career. Players of that stature go under the harshest criticism, and it’s never once been fair. ”

Michael Jordan is a scorer, and you just can’t win a championship when your best player doesn’t distribute the ball.”

“LeBron James lacks a killer instinct and the drive to be the best player in the NBA.”

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Not only were these ridiculous statements at one point stated, but they were the common opinion! How can Davis, someone that’s going to enter the best player in the NBA discussion within five years as LeBron continues to age, going to escape this? He can’t escape it.

Sure, he might be able to avoid it next season if the Pelicans can make the playoffs again, but what if they get swept, or god forbid miss them all entirely? If Davis is so good then why can’t he lead his team to the playoffs? That’s what all the great players did no matter the ridiculously difficult conference they played in. After that, Davis will have to prove that he can get to the Conference Finals, or the NBA Finals, and if his roster isn’t good enough well that’s too bad. He should have sprouted wings to fly around the court and sank 90 foot 3-pointers all day to lead them to the Finals. Then, and maybe only then, will Davis be able to get the recognition he deserves.

This plea is going to fall on deaf ears, but lets all yell it out anyways.

Please, NBA world, media, and fans alike. Please, let Anthony Davis be Anthony Davis.

Lets all marvel at his insane length, and watch as he possibly develops a 3-point game. Please ignore the very real possibility that he’s not going to escape the second round for the next few years due to a roster that’s just not good enough. That shouldn’t matter when discussing his individual ability. Please, just this once, when greatness falls in front of us lets just enjoy it.

Next: AD is One Reason the Pelicans Will Be Better Next Season

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