After winning his first NBA ring with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month, it's hard not to put Anthony Davis up there as one of the best, if not the best, forwards in the league right now.
Davis was the first-runner up to the Finals MVP trophy after a stellar debut on basketball's biggest stage. He averaged a monstrous averaging 25 points per game, 10.5 rebounds and added a pair of blocks per outing. AD was undoubtedly a monumental piece of LA's 17th title and none of this would even be remotely possibly if the 27-year old didn't opt to join LeBron James and team up in Hollywood in the summer of 2019.
This has sparked talks of AD possibly being the best power forward to ever play in the NBA.
In a recent appearance in the ‘Bill Simmons Podcast‘, 2020 NBA champion Jared Dudley was all praises to his teammate. The 35-year old journeyman even went as far as comparing AD to one of the all-time greats, Tim Duncan.
“Yes. I think Duncan was more of a set standard in the sense that you knew exactly what you were going to get from Duncan; he could go inside-out. I think A.D. is way more talented, better defensively, especially in this modern era. I think A.D. has another level.” said Dudley (via Lakers Nation).
Though you can't really blame Dudley on being this high up on his teammate right now, he might have to slow it down with the Duncan comparisons once he takes a deep breath and looks at Duncan's impressive NBA resume.
For starters, Duncan has five NBA championship trophies in six attempts – 4 more than Davis. In three of those title runs, he brought home the Bill Russell trophy (1999, 2003, 2005). In 32 NBA Finals games, ‘The Big Fundamental' averaged 20.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and even added 2.8 assists per game. Just comparing their Finals averages right now, Duncan still has the overall advantage in terms of stats – even if he's played 26 more Finals games compared to AD. Outside of the Finals comparisons, Duncan has also proven that he is far and away the better regular season player as well, especially when you factor in longevity and health. In just his fifth and sixth year in the league the young Duncan won back-to-back MVP awards (2002, 2003).
Looking at Duncan's achievements, it's quite clear that AD has his work cut out for him. Davis might need to rack up a few more rings and at least win himself an MVP award before he's in the same hemisphere as the future Hall of Famer.
In his eight seasons in the league so far, Anthony Davis has indeed proven that he's more than just good – he's great. But, for us to consider him as the greatest forward to play the four spot might be a reach, at least for now.
Follow Us
Subscribe