Each year, Sports Illustrated ranks the top 100 NBA players heading into the regular season. Going into the 2015 season, New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis ranked sixth on this list, and in 2016 he ranked third, behind only Stephen Curry and LeBron James. The Brow has long been treated well by these power rankings, which recognize him as he is: a stuffed casserole of not-quite-fulfilled talent that still maximizes his production every season.
Of course, that number three ranking going into last season would go undefended, as injuries and inefficiency from Davis and the rest of the Pelicans’ roster would mar what initially had the makings of a continued build from first round exit to greater achievement.