For so long now the debate surrounding the top overall fantasy selection in the NBA has come down to just two players. Fantasy general managers have their preferences and those draft tendencies have always led to either LeBron James or Kevin Durant going first overall. Now with Durant’s injury holding him out of action for at least a couple months and the new personal in Cleveland perhaps affecting LeBron’s production; one must ask is it time for a change at the top.
In a two-part analysis that will present two very viable options for fantasy general managers to consider with their top pick, we will look at both the New Orleans Pelicans Anthony Davis and the Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry. Both Curry and Davis are on the precipice of NBA stardom, the kind of fantasy worship usually reserved for the likes of Durant, LeBron and Kobe Bryant. This could very well be the year that we see a shake up at the top of some draft boards.
We start by making the case for Anthony Davis in New Orleans to be the top overall fantasy pick. The third-year forward has impressed everyone in his first two seasons. Last season he put up a slash line of 20.8 ppg, 10 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2.8 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. While averaging a double-double over the 67 games he played in is impressive enough he actually posted 36 double-doubles over that span.
Throw in the blocked shots, steals and assists that come on a nightly basis and all of a sudden that already valuable double-double guy is tacking on extra value that really separates himself from his peers. Stop and take into consideration that Davis had 11 games last season where he had 5 or more blocked shots.
Now consider the fact that Davis takes quality, high percentage shots. He put up a stellar .519 from the field last season and shot an impressive .791 from the free-throw line. Normally big men who make their living in the painted area and who rarely venture out of their four foot comfort zone average that kind of field goal percentage. Davis is far more versatile who can score from the wing, the post and in transition.
Davis has always been listed as a power forward for the Pelicans; however, he has often found himself playing out of position at the center spot. Now with the addition of Omer Asik in New Orleans, Davis can revert back to his more natural power forward spot on the floor. This is significant as Davis will no longer have to expel a lot of energy defensively banging against bigger and stronger bodies in the post. He will also have more flexibility in defensive rotations to be that help side defender which will create more blocked shot opportunities for him.
Take into account that Davis got a head start on most of the league by participating in the 2014 FIBA Basketball Championship as he played an integral part of USA’s gold medal effort. During the tournament he played an average of 20 minutes a game and came through with 12.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 2.1 blocks per game. This offseason participation surely benefited Davis not only in terms of conditioning but also coaching as Mike Krzyzewski, Tom Thibodeau and hometown coach Monty Williams surely had some tips and insight on ways to improve.
All told, Anthony Davis is right there in terms of fantasy supremacy. Even before the Durant injury, Davis had to be considered as a top four fantasy producer. Now with Durant losing time and some folks wondering about Cleveland’s cohesiveness the time is right to consider Davis with your first-overall fantasy selection.