Anthony Davis finds himself at the center of an unlikely contender. He has an exciting group of teammates and two who share the No. 1 overall pick tag with him. But the 32-year-old Dallas Mavericks star is jokingly reminding them that they may be No. 1 overall picks as well, but he has something they will never attain.
While shooting a promo for his teammates, he was asked to explain a photoshoot he did with Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg. In the shoot, the three former No. 1 overall picks are raising their forefingers to indicate how all three of them share this in common. But Davis had a different explanation in mind.
“I’m looking at three No. 1 picks, two that went to a school that you can’t spell without University of Kentucky, without UK. You can’t spell Duke without UK. They’re holding up the number ones for me, because I’m the only one that won a national championship out of these three.” Davis jokingly said.
Even though he was teasing his teammates, he was factually on point. Despite all three of these superstars having elite college careers, the former Lakers center is the only one to have won a national championship amongst them.
Irving played for the University of Duke in 2010-11 and became their go-to ball handler and perimeter shooter. He carried the creator role more in college, and then became a more prolific scorer in the NBA. As a point guard, he averaged 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 52.9% from the field and 46.2% from the three-point line. His shooting was out of this world, but a toe/ligament injury sidelined Irving for 26 games. The Blue Devils that year got eliminated in the regional semi-finals after losing to Arizona.
Flagg’s college career was more eventful. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, along with 1.4 blocks. Additionally, the six-feet-nine forward shot 38.5% from the three-point line, which was extremely impressive for his size and stature. His team finished 35-4 but lost to the Houston Cougars in the semi-finals. He was named to the All-Tournament team despite their loss.
Anthony Davis had a stellar college season with the University of Kentucky. He was a defensive force in college, and his rebound and block combo was one for the history books. Davis averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, shooting 62.3% from the field, and had 4.7 blocks every game. Offenses were scared to face him, and even though he had not become the well-rounded stretch five that he eventually turned into, his college career made him a household name because of his elite blocking skills.
That year, the Kentucky Wildcats went undefeated in the NCAA tournament, defeating Kansas 67-59 in the final. Davis was one of the prime reasons why. All three of these elite talents became No. 1 picks in their respective drafts, but their journey to that point was very different. And Davis did not hold back from making sure his teammates fell in line and gave them a friendly reminder of their history.
Anthony Davis is showing clear signs of domination as he begins his first full season with the Dallas Mavericks. In the preseason showdown against the Utah Jazz, the former Laker scored 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. He was everywhere and contributing with everything as the Mavericks won 114-101 on the road.
Naji Marshall had 17 points, while Flagg put up 11 points and 7 rebounds, along with 2 steals and 2 blocks himself. So the Mavericks have found not one, but two elite rim protectors who can also shoot it from a distance. Once Irving gets back in action, this team has the recipe to become one of the most exciting franchises this year.
