Anthony Davis Unassumedly Surpassing Expectations

The fact that New Orleans Hornets rookie Anthony Davis is flying under the radar is surprising. After all, being a "once in a generation" number 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, Davis has heavy expectations on his shoulders.

Despite missing a three-week stretch with an ankle injury, Anthony is quietly exceeding his colossal expectations, at least according to NBA beat writer Rob Mahoney of SI.com's The Point Forward.

For anyone how hasn't had the opportunity to extensively see the young man with the trademark unibrow adjust to the pro game, Mahoney breaks down why Davis is flying under the radar, how he's adjusting to the pro game, and how "he has even more terrifying potential than advertised."

For many, this notion of a potential superstar without a plainly viable offensive game creates some basketball dissonance. Davis’ promise as a defender may be universally accepted and lauded, but the players largely considered to be the league’s best are far more similar to Lillard than Davis: smooth with the ball, in charge in crunch time and utterly unstoppable on offense for particularly dominant stretches. Davis isn’t and may never be any of those things, and yet it hardly matters. Within his bizarre offensive game isn’t just the next step in the natural progression of the big man, but a glimpse at a transcendent specimen several links ahead in the evolutionary chain. The 6-foot-10 Davis isn’t merely set to be an all-world defender; he brings a groundbreaking package of offensive skills and instincts at a time when basketball is most amenable to his avant-garde game.

Anthony Davis Quietly Exceeding Immense Expectations

That's a small introduction to Mahoney's column. Great analysis, aided by video evidence, are two good reasons to check out the piece. Click here to read all of Mahoney's breakdown.

Davis and the Hornets will be on the floor tonight in Philadelphia. Tip-off versus the 76ers is set for 6:00.