tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post1976862166702669654..comments2023-10-31T06:31:41.395-04:00Comments on Bottom of the Barrel: Sounds like Anthony Davis Has David Steele's Hall of Fame Vote AlreadyBengoodfellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-67181735472626259702012-04-17T08:52:26.457-04:002012-04-17T08:52:26.457-04:00Rich, I think we shouldn't even question Davis...Rich, I think we shouldn't even question Davis in terms of NBA centers and should just compare him to college centers at this point. I know its fun, but it is also very premature to compare him to any NBA centers...especially all-time greats. <br /><br />I think Davis will be an excellent pro, if not just a great defensive player. But the NBA is a different world where nearly everyone is athletic as you are and guys like Jeff Withey are always there making it hard to get your shot off. <br /><br />Comparing any college player to a Hall of Fame NBA player is just stupid. It's amazing how David Steele just casually throws this all out there as if he isn't comparing a 19 year old kid to the greatest centers of all-time in the NBA.Bengoodfellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401971573776672570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102327997051254703.post-6947924941610546222012-04-16T16:34:04.405-04:002012-04-16T16:34:04.405-04:00From now until his soon-to-begin NBA career ends, ...<b>From now until his soon-to-begin NBA career ends, he’ll be questioned about other legendary big men. Tim Duncan. Patrick Ewing. Hakeem Olajuwon. Shaquille O’Neal. Alonzo Mourning. Bill Walton. </b><br /><br />Seriously? He hasn't even been drafted yet and we're putting him in that level of talent? How about we question him about Gasol, Howard, Griffin and Bynum first. <br /><br />How about asking him about Sam Bowie, Derrick Coleman (solid, but not great), Darko, Hasheem Thabet, Marcus Fizer, Kwame Brown or Stromile Swift? <br /><br />I think big men are difficult to gauge transitioning to the NBA in that in college, the number of guys stronger or bigger than you is significantly smaller than in the NBA.<br /><br />At 6'10" 210, Davis isn't actually physically much different than the guys he'll be playing against in the NBA. <br /><br />For example, one of the players Steele listed was Tim Duncan who though only 1 inch taller, has 45 pounds on him.<br /><br />Granted, Davis just turned 19 and as a hockey fan, I watch 18 year olds get drafted and then bulk up before going pro, but the NBA doesn't have a minor leagues where he can improve his game and get bigger while making decent money, so Davis has to go to the NBA or stay in college (and play for free). <br /><br />The point is that the NBA and NFL don't have places where players can play against opponents who will likely become pros. They go from playing in a league where 5-10% of the players go pro to everyone being a pro. At least in football, you typically have three or four years to base a judgement on.<br /><br />Taking one college season and saying he has the potential to be Bill Russell is stupid. Bill Russell and Wilt were two of, if not the two, greatest players ever. They also had the advantage of being 5-6 inches taller than everyone they played.<br /><br />::sigh::richnoreply@blogger.com