5 Ways Anthony Davis Can Improve Next Season

2. Passing:

Davis is a smart, high IQ passer, but he isn’t a playmaker quite yet.

The biggest difference between AD’s 2015 campaign and the prime seasons of Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan are the assist numbers. Both of those guys served as pseudo-point guards for their teams, receiving the ball in the high post and initiating the offense from that area of the floor.

Personally, with how underutilized Davis has been the last few years I don’t blame him to taking the shots he gets. Tyreke and the rest of the guard trio tend to take it upon themselves late in games, meaning sometimes Davis would struggle to even touch the ball, never mind initiate a play.

Oct 28, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) drives past Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Of the NBA’s top ten scorers last season, AD is the only one to average less than three assists. The NBA’s player tracking stats show AD only creates 7.1 points off his assists per 48 minutes, which is well below average for a superstar at his level.

Specifically, I would like to see AD become better at passing out of double teams. Before the All-Star break, AD had a 25% turnover rate vs. hard doubles, so if he can improve there he should become even better at protecting the ball.

There’s hope though. We all know Alvin Gentry busted into his interview this summer with charts and graphs of exactly how to maximize Davis’ production. I think it’s a safe to predict he sees an increase in his own production, and the protection of his teammates.

Next: Three Point Shooting