Who are the Top 5 Best Former Kentucky Wildcats in the NBA?
By Tyler Cox
1. Anthony Davis, PF, New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis is having a MVP type of year. The only thing keeping him from possibly winning the MVP is his teams record. At first it was a coin toss for me between Davis and DeMarcus Cousins for the top spot. I then took into account that though Cousins has been in the league longer and has more experience, Davis’ upside and the type of season that he is having gave Davis the overall edge of Cousins. Despite his teams subpar performance Davis is averaging 24.5 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists a game, 2.85 blocks per game and 1.7 steals per game, which is insane. He is keeping the Pelicans afloat in the Western Conference as his team has a 14-14 record.
#2 DeMarcus Cousins, C, Sacramento Kings
Like I said before, it was a coin toss between Cousins and Anthony Davis for the top spot and I ultimately have the nod to Davis, which makes DeMarcus Cousins my #2 overall former Cat in the league by default. Cousins is just an absolute beast down low and pretty much dominates whoever he is up against. Like Anthony Davis team, Cousins’ Sacramento Kings aren’t having a good season so far with a 12-16 record. This season DeMarcus is a averaging 23.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.17 steals per game. If Cousins doesn’t make the All-Star game this year than the All Star game is a joke.
#3. John Wall, PG, Washington Wizzards
When you think of Kentucky and the NBA you think of all the point guards that are in the league. Which is weird because the two best players in the league from Kentucky are post players, but sometimes, that’s just how it works out. John Wall is having the best season of his career as the game is looks as if it is really slowing down for Mr. Wall. What sets John Wall apart from Rajon Rondo is his speed and his scoring. Rondo is the better by far but John Wall has more upside and his offensive skill set sets Wall apart from Rondo. John Wall is averaging 17.8 points per game which is up from which is down from the 19.3 he averaged last year but there’s a good reason for that. He is averaging 10.4 assists a game this year which is up from 8.8 from last year and that means John wall is averaging a double-double this year. I expect John Wall to be in the All-Star game this year.
#4 Rajon Rondo, PG, Dallas Mavericks
What a great situation that Rajon Rondo is in right now playing alongside Dirk, Monte Ellis and Tyson Chandler. Rondo is having his normal Rondo type season, he is just so consistent year in and year out. His offense is really the only downside to Rondo’s game, his defense is superb averaging 1.7 steals per game. I expect his average of 9.3 assists to go up playing with the Mavericks and great shooters all around him. When Rondo came into the league, not a lot of people saw him being this good, except for us Kentucky fans, but he has really exceeded a lot of people’s expectations which makes him special not because of his phenomenal passing and defense but because he always does things people say he can’t do. Rondo is averaging 10.7 points a game this year along with 5.7 rebounds a game. I don’t however see Rondo making the All-Star game.
#5 Brandon Knight, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
It may come as a surprise to you that I have Brandon Knight in the top 5 but Knight is playing out of his mind right now, and I honestly think if Knight was on a better team he would take them deep into the playoffs because he is a tough, smart gritty player. His scoring skill set extremely good and he shows it every night. His defense is above average, but it’s his passing and shooting ability is what he makes his money on. I have Knight above Eric Bledsoe because Knight can score better, he can pass slightly better and is more clutch than Bledsoe is. Knight is averaging 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists a game.