The sophomore class has evolved into a very interesting one, with multiple narratives defining it. Is Andre Drummond a franchise center? How special can Damian Lillard become? Which players can step up to join its three star players?
One question that has already been answered, though, is: Will Anthony Davis be one of the elite players in the league, not just the class? Because when discussing Davis and his future, it's only a question of when, not if, he will win an MVP trophy.
Anthony Davis is a lot like Kevin Garnett
Think of the 20-year-old version of KG and compare that man to Davis today. The physical similarities and athletic characteristics are obvious. They are sleek, slender and play with elite athleticism. Quick and explosive bounces. Fluid and fast down the floor. Able to cover ground in the half court with elite-level quickness.
In his early 20s, Garnett knew his impact on the defensive end was paramount to his team's success and it was clear he relished that role. Not every star built like Garnett has the same feelings about defense, considering the beatings they take against bigger men, but Davis does. He flits around the half court like a water bug skates on top of the water. There he is blocking 7-foot Samuel Dalembert on a rim run one possession, then blocking Dirk Nowitzki's patented one-legged fadeaway jumper out on the perimeter a few possessions later. Davis, like Garnett, is blessed with such long arms -- and long fingers, I'd guess -- he's able to get to balls that very few guys can get to. That means that this kind of play happens often:
SOPHOMORE 20 RANKINGS
1. Anthony Davis, Pelicans
2. Damian Lillard, Blazers
3. Andre Drummond, Pistons
4. Terrence Jones, Rockets
5. John Henson, Bucks
6. Jared Sullinger, Celtics
7. Mike Scott, Hawks
8. Miles Plumlee, Suns
9. Jonas Valanciunas, Raptors
10. Patrick Beverley, Rockets
11. Jeremy Lamb, Thunder
12. Mirza Teletovic, Nets
13. Bradley Beal, Wizards
14. Khris Middleton, Bucks
15. Brian Roberts, Pelicans
16. Andrew Nicholson, Magic
17. Dion Waiters, Cavaliers
18. Thomas Robinson, Blazers
19. Jae Crowder, Mavericks
20. Harrison Barnes, Warriors
An offensive player catches the ball and readies himself to shoot as he surveys the court and sees Davis coming. Because that offensive player has played a thousand games or more in his life, he has an instinct that tells him immediately whether or not he can get the shot off in time. Remember, many if not most blocks come from a player the offensive player does not see. In this case, he sees Davis so he makes that instant calculation that he can get the shot off. After all, these players have played against people as tall as Davis, as long as Davis and as quick as him, too. Yet, so often that shooter gets his shot blocked by Davis.
Davis blocks many perimeter shots, it seems, with just one finger. He leads the league in blocks per game, and probably in "finger blocks," too. He is clearly superior to Garnett as a shot-blocker, as KG never averaged more than 2.2 blocks per game in a season. Garnett, though, will forever be known as one of the best overall help defenders in league history, something Davis is still years away from even thinking about. On a very bad defensive team, Davis has a lot to learn about how to impact a game on defense outside of blocking a shot. But it is evident that he is willing to learn, as seen by his hustle from spot to spot and his desire to get to where he is supposed to go.
It's the offensive side of the court, however, that has seen marked improvement from Davis. His shot, which was an issue as a teenager, now has a beautiful and smooth motion with some range. He's not a great shooter yet simply because he's years (and thousands of reps) behind other big men who spent far more time on shooting because they couldn't do the things Davis can inside. He's never going to be Nowitzki, but if you remember how good of a shooter Patrick Ewing became as he aged then you'll have an idea of what Davis could look like. And that would work out perfectly for him, because he'll also be an elite pick-and-roll performer as long as he remains one of the most explosive jumpers in the game.
His back-to-the-basket game is his last weapon of choice, but that too should expand as he learns the nuances of scoring from those angles. At the very least, if he can perfect a Rasheed Wallace-type of shot, where he shoots the ball with completely extended arms after he squares up inside (something he's not far from now), he'll have a weapon that defenses will have a tough time countering.
Anthony Davis is a lot like an iceberg
Just like icebergs have a lot more going on under the water than they do above it, much of Davis' special traits are hidden below the surface because he's someone who is locked into doing what the team needs, not what he wants. His quickness in tight spaces is astounding for someone his size, but that gets overlooked because his high-flying act is more exciting.
Davis is not a bundle of frenzied activity like Kenneth Faried; he's more like Joakim Noah in that he seems to always be moving under control, relentlessly chasing the action but with poise. His body control allows him to twist and shake in the air but stay composed enough to finish shots after all that movement and contact from a defender, too. He also hustles, sets wide screens, handles the ball fluidly and values it more than most young scorers. He's not hunting spectacular plays, just the right ones. With his talent, he knows spectacular will come anyway.
Players who do the little things like he does are the game's true stars, the best of the best. Because it's those small details that help win titles. The Pelicans are not close to that now -- they need to fill out the roster with guys who complement Davis -- but they have something that only a very select few teams have: a future MVP winner.
Five big sophomore surprises
This class is currently known for its Big Three, but there are some other guys who are proving to be either great role players, solid starters or even potential All-Stars.
John Henson, Bucks
If Anthony Davis leads the league in blocks with one finger, Henson may be a close second. He's not just a shot-blocking wizard, though. He's also a finisher who has eight double-doubles even though he's played 30 minutes in a game only 10 times this season. He has great hands and a cool touch, helping him to make just under 60 percent of his rim shots despite being far weaker than most of his opponents. And he'll only get stronger.
So when you consider a Bucks team with Henson and Giannis Antetokounmpo at the forward spots, plus a likely top-3 pick from this season's terrific draft, Milwaukee fans have a lot to be excited about. That would give them three guys with All-Star potential. Yes, Henson has that kind of talent. He is currently fifth in the NBA in blocked shots per game while playing fewer minutes per game than all four of the guys in front of him. And he ranks in the top 25 in rebounds per 48 minutes, while also being excellent in the transition game. Those are special talents when combined together.
Terrence Jones, Rockets
Jones might be flying under the radar, but that won't last long with Houston's likely playoff runs this season and beyond. He has been a huge blessing in Houston, filling in perfectly at the power forward spot with his many talents and having a breakout month (before he missed a couple of games due to injury). In 2014, he already has games where he put up points and rebound totals of 36 and 11, 16 and 12, 25 and 8 and 19 and 17. Those are gaudy numbers when playing next to James Harden and Dwight Howard.
The Rockets are not a team known for passing often, except to their two stars -- though no one is complaining; they rank fourth in offensive efficiency. So Jones has to be extra efficient to put up those kinds of games. He is just enough of a perimeter threat to help keep the lanes open for Howard and Harden, and his knack for finding creases to earn slashing buckets is a perfect complement to Howard's more robotic and bruising style.
More than anything else, Jones is a basketball player, capable of making plays on the fly in impressive fashion on each end of the court. That is extra valuable because of the speed Houston plays at. Should the Rockets prove to be title contenders for years to come, Jones will grow from a promising 22-year-old to an All-Star candidate.
Mike Scott, Hawks
Scott is a shining example of how a player can get a lot better in the offseason. Hawks players and fans have been talking about his new body and improved perimeter game since training camp, and he has proved them right after getting the opportunity to be a part of Atlanta's rotation with Al Horford out.
Scott has the ability to post up stretch 4s, which has allowed Atlanta to run isolations for him on occasion, and also has a good feel for playing within the flow of the offense when he is not the focus (which is the far more typical situation). Bringing a toughness, maturity and intelligence that was not easy to predict going into the season, he's been a big part of how Atlanta has stayed somewhat relevant despite losing its best player this season.
Jared Sullinger, Celtics
Solid. That is the operative word for Sullinger. He handles his duties on the glass well. He finishes shots at a good level. And he has a strong basketball IQ.
Sullinger continues to look like a starter in this league, with some serious potential as both a strong rebounder and a stretch shooter on offense, kind of like a poor man's Kevin Love. Remember, Love made only 35 3s in his second season (60 games) before quickly becoming the best shooter/rebounder ever. Sullinger's intriguing comparisons to one of the game's elite players has to factor into Boston's long-term plans as it rebuilds.
Miles Plumlee, Suns
The Suns continue to be one of the top stories of the season and it's hard to envision this kind of success without Plumlee's contributions. His shot-blocking talent and hustle make him probably the most important defensive player on a Phoenix team that has a top-12 defense.
He has also played impressively within his role on offense, making plays solely near the basket and finishing them at a good rate. It's unclear if he will end up being a long-term starter in this league, but it is clear that he's going to be a rotation player getting significant minutes for years to come. For a guy who was drafted No. 26 overall, that is impressive stuff.
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