Each week, I will choose one player to highlight as the New Orleans Pelicans Player of the Week. We’d love to hear your feedback, in the comments or on Twitter.
This week, I’ll be highlighting the terrific play of Anthony Davis, whose consistent elite level of play is starting to put the Pelicans on league notice.
Earlier this week Anthony Davis was named the Western Conference Player of the Week. Davis was recognized for his terrific two-way dominance after leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a 3-1 week.
For anyone who has followed the Pelicans or the NBA for that matter, this is nothing new. Davis has become accustomed to regularly posting gaudy stat-lines. However, this year those stat lines are translating to wins and jaw-dropping scoring efficiency.
Davis is averaging four fewer shots per game this year while seeing his field goal percentage skyrocket seven percent. His free throw rate has remained consistent as has his rebounding rate. Where Davis has seen his efficiency spike is within 10 ft. According to NBA tracking, Davis is averaging 59 percent of his shots in that area. From that range, Davis is shooting an absurd 76 percent. Comparing this to last year where Davis only attempted 50 percent of his shots in the 10 ft area and shot 59 percent from that range.
This is directly attributed to the addition of Cousins, who, for the first time, has given AD another elite talent to draw defensive attention. Even when Cousins can frustratingly drift to the perimeter his mere gravity opens up the paint for Davis. But what about the times where Cousins is not in?
Well, Davis has thrived playing with a natural point guard at all times. Rondo and Jameer allow the offense to remain steady and both have looked for AD inside. Nelson and Davis have forged a good chemistry out of the pick and roll, while Rondo has had no issue finding Davis for momentum shifting alley-oops.
Anthony Davis has always been a terror to defend out of the pick and roll. However, in years past there wasn’t always a guard able to make the pass or quickly decide the right play to make. Now, New Orleans has two veteran point guards on the floor at all times and its opened up the game for Anthony Davis.
Before, Pelicans players were either incapable or hesitant to make passes into tight windows. Nelson and Rondo are not and are taking full advantage of Davis’ otherworldly athleticism.
Above is a perfect example of just that. Rondo sees AD beat everyone down the floor and just throws it up and gives Davis a chance. More often than not, Davis will come down with the ball and get a chance to score inside before the defense is set. This is a new development that has been absent in years past.
Scoring this year has been easy for Anthony Davis. For all the slack the Pelicans have taken in the past for their poor roster construction, it seems this year they are finally playing towards Davis strengths.
Is it perfect?
Not in the slightest but we are seeing the best version of Davis and his teammates are playing to his strengths; not the other way around. The result? Davis not only is posting the most efficient scoring season of his career, it’s the most efficient scoring season in all of the NBA.
Here's an up-to-date look at the most efficient offensive players in the @NBA this season. Anthony Davis is on pace to become only the 4th player to score over 1.17 points per possession since 2005. pic.twitter.com/h9nlufxq2a
— Synergy Basketball (@SynergySST) November 28, 2017
For all the talk about unicorns, Anthony Davis still leads the pack. Embidd, Porzingis, Jokic, Ben Simmons, Karl-Anthony Towns, and even Giannis Antetokounmpo are all elite superstar level talents that will lead their respective teams into the future, but the future is now with Anthony Davis.
Next: Pelicans fall to Timberwolves after Anthony Davis ejection
Right now, Davis is playing like a top 3 player in the world and Pelicans fans recognize this. If New Orleans continues to win the rest of the NBA will begin to agree.