Ex-Kentucky Wildcat Anthony Davis will be a “Franchise-Changer” for New Orleans Hornets

“He will do whatever it takes to win,” ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas said during the NBA Draft Lottery telecast on May 30th.  “He’s going to get stronger and he’s got a great aptitude for the game.  He’s just scratching the surface of how great he’s going to be.”

“No- not automatic,” Doug Gottlieb, an ESPN basketball analyst told me out their playoff chances with Davis on the roster.

“The Hornets could not have picked a finer player or gentleman,” former LSU coach Dale Brown said in an email.  “He brings multi-talented skills, unselfish play, great attitude, and a superb work ethic.”

“I think he’s got to get stronger,” WKYT sports reporter Dave Baker told me.  “But his understanding of playing out on the floor and his ability to put the ball on the deck and get his own shot will make him a guy that I believe can have a Tim Duncan—Kevin Garnett kind of impact for New Orleans.”

“Davis will start immediately and should be a perfect fit for Monty Williams’ system, which stresses team play and defensive intensity on every play,” New Orleans Times-Picayune sports columnist Jeff Duncan, a Kentucky native, told me in an email.  “Early on, Davis will make his biggest impact as a defender, where his length, timing and athleticism will make an immediate force in the paint.  I expect him to rank among the league’s top shot blockers from Day 1.  His offensive game is still developing but the potential to become a low-double-digit scorer in the NBA is there.

“It’s difficult to say what Davis will mean to the Hornets’ win column because they have so many unanswered questions on the roster.  Their top priority is to re-sign guard Eric Gordon.  He and Davis would give the Hornets a dynamic inside-outside axis to build around.  The Hornets have many needs, including PG, C and SF. They could go in a number of directions with their 10th pick in the first round.

“They also will have money to use in free agency.  If Dell Demps and Monty Williams use their resources wisely — and their tracks records suggest they will — the Hornets have a chance to get better very quickly.  The addition of Davis greatly accelerates the rebuilding program.  If things fall into place, the Hornets could easily become playoff contenders in 2012-2013.”

“I think in order for Anthony Davis to make an immediate impact in the NBA, he has to bulk up; 220 pounds is not enough weight for a power forward,” New Orleans Times-Picayune Hornets beat writer Jimmy Smith said in an email.  “He’s likely to get pushed around quite a bit.  That said, I’m sure he won’t be 220 by opening night.”

“The Hornets roster, at this point, has plenty of holes and plenty of questions. If the team is able to fill those, lock up Eric Gordon to a long-term deal, and, perhaps, add another scoring option, they could be on the fringe of a playoff spot next year, provided, of course, everyone remains healthy.”

Deke Bellavia co-hosts the #1 rated Sports Talk on WWL during the evening drive time.  His show, which he co-hosts with former Saints quarterback, Bobby Hebert, was on the air last Wednesday as the NBA Draft Lottery was taking place.  Bellavia reacted the same way that many Hornets fans were reacting–with excitement in their voices.

In a phone interview, Bellavia said the news of the Hornets getting the first pick is bringing a lot of excitement to the area, similar to the 2006 NFL Draft.  This is all without even putting on the Hornets uniform.

“He’s already made an impact,” Bellavia said.  “In the last 24 hours, the Hornets have told me that their ticket number—once the Hornets got the #1 pick, their phones started ringing off the hook because we’ve known for quite some time that Anthony Davis is going to be the overall pick.”

“I think that the connection that we have with Kentucky and the connection with Davis is kind of stronger, perhaps, because of the things that have happened this year: the SEC Championship in New Orleans, the National Championship in New Orleans so it’s a familiarity there and the Kentucky fans had a good time down here.”

Bellavia said that reaching the playoffs is a realistic goal for the Hornets next season.

“By the tone we’re hearing thus far, something short of that is going to be a disappointment,” said Bellavia.

“Davis’ impact is already huge,” Eric Asher, the host of Inside New Orleans, said via email.  “The Hornets now have local ownership with deep pockets & more cap room than they’ve ever had in their time in New Orleans.  They needed a new face of the franchise to keep the 10K season ticket holders on board.  Davis fills that roll.  On the court he will be the cornerstone but it will still take a few seasons and more pieces to be a legit contender.”