Anthony Davis is a Beast, and Only 21: The NBA Should Be Very, Very Afraid

Anthony Davis, the 21-year old, third-year forward from Kentucky, is poised to have a monster NBA season, and if his unbelievable season-opening performance against Orlando is any indication, “The Brow” is going to be must-see TV all year.

Davis, who famously grew six inches between his sophomore and junior year of high school, then went to Kentucky and won a Title, terrorized Orlando Tuesday night: 26 points, 17 rebounds, nine blocks and three steals. Putting that impressive statline in perspective: 26-17-9-3 has only been done by one player in NBA history: Hakeem Olajuwon (four times).

At the risk of heaping too much praise on Davis so early in his career, you watch him at both ends and can’t help but think he’s going to be a transcendent player. We just don’t see his combination of skills often: Part Olajuwon, part Webber, part Noah? Marcus Camby was a popular comparison when Davis was in college, but The Brow is already vastly superior at the offensive end. Did I leave anyone out?

The Pelicans are doing a tremendous job promoting their superstar on social media. I look forward to 81 more of these graphics.

Davis is so good, so early in his career, I wonder if instead of talking about his free agent future (this is a great breakdown of how he’ll spent many more years in NOLA), we begin hearing whispers about Davis being a magnet for prominent free agents in 2015. I broached this topic two years ago, but Deron Williams stayed in Brooklyn. Are we going to see unrestricted free agents like Rajon Rondo pass on New York or LA and give strong consideration to the Pelicans?