Davis blocking Robinson’s Player of the Year chances
Corey Tincher | Feb 27, 2012 | Comments 2
There’s little debate that the men’s college basketball Player of the Year race has been narrowed down to Kentucky’s Anthony Davis and Kansas’ Thomas Robinson. Each player is a part of a top five team, each player is sporting huge numbers, and most importantly each player is leading their team to wins. A lot of Kentucky fans assumed Anthony Davis finally took the lead in the Player of the year race after his outstanding 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 blocks against Vanderbilt on Saturday. But did he really separate himself from Robinson?
The numbers suggest he didn’t gain much on the Jayhawk. Robinson must have heard Anthony Davis’ numbers before stepping onto the court Saturday afternoon, because he put up 28 points and 12 rebounds to match, all while leading his team to victory. To the casual observer, it looked like Robinson evened the score and maintained whatever slim lead he might have in the Player of the Year race. After all, looking at Robinson’s 17.8 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, it’s hard to argue against him.
That is, until you look a little deeper. Saturday’s games were much more telling than a quick glance might indicate. Both players scored 28 points, so you have to call that one a draw, right? Not exactly. Robinson’s 28 came on 10-21 shooting, about 48%. Davis’ 28 points, on the other hand, were from 10-11 shooting, about 91%. They made the same number of field goals, but Davis did his in 10 less attempts. The Kentucky star scored incredibly more efficiently, saving his team possessions and posing a greater threat to the defense. That efficiency creates shots and holes that benefit his teammates as well.
Another interesting comparison between these two in Saturday’s games was revealed in the offensive rebound numbers. Davis managed to bring in four offensive boards, while Robinson only grabbed two. Once again Davis is creating more offensive opportunities, not wasting them. Robinson may have numbers that are equal and even superior to Davis, but Davis’ numbers are so much more influential and beneficial to his team.
Of course the biggest difference between these two young men, and the single greatest reason Davis deserves a unanimous vote as Player of the Year, is his absurd ability to block shots. Robinson only blocked one shot against Missouri, despite them taking 65 shots. Davis managed to reject six shots of Vanderbilt’s 64, nearly 10% of their total. And statistics just can’t capture the number of shots Davis is adversely affecting, elevating his defensive influence even further. There isn’t a player in college basketball that has the impact and authority over a game that Anthony Davis does. That was never displayed better than against Vandy on Saturday, and anyone who thinks Thomas Robinson had as superb a game is suffering from a mental block of their own.
Filed Under: Basketball
I am not a Kansas fan, however I do like Robinson. He knows basketball, he can take over a game, he’s a warrior and an all-around great guy. But here is where I see a difference, Robinson is the star of Kansas, after him you have Tyshawn Taylor, after that it’s a toss-up. That’s it! Kansas has 2 players that are considered good Division 1 players. Without Robinson Kansas is dead,they would be lucky to make it to the NIT! well . . . They would make the NIT but you get the point. Anthony Davis on the otherhand has a supporting cast of several NBA lottery picks. There are several players on the Kentucky team that are standout players, you have Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb,Marquis Teague, Darius Miller. Any of these guys can score huge numbers and take over any game. But night after night, game after game Anthony Davis brings it!! There might be a game that he only scores 8 points. That seems pretty irrelevent doesn’t it? that is until you see the rest of his stats, 8 points . . 7 blocks . . . .11 rebounds and countless shots that were altered (Which isn’t counted as a stat) The many times that the opposing team didn’t take the ball inside for fear of getting their shot blocked . . . YES that happens . . . in every single game this year, don’t believe me . . just check with the opposing coaching staff!!! And if you ask any coach in America who is the biggest influence or who is the biggest game changer in college basketball this year . . . . they will all tell you Anthony Davis . . . hands down!!! Yes I am a Kentucky fan but I am only being fair! honestly . . if you ask the people in “The Know” who the biggest gamechanger is, they are going to tell you Anthony Davis all day long!! I love Thomas Robinson, he would look great in Kentucky Blue, but you have to give credit where it is due. Anthony Davis has more impact this year than anyone since Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar). If Thomas Robinson wins it this year it will be due to an injury suffered by Anthony Davis. I just don’t see how there can be any discussion so far. Davis is clearly the games most feared player, opposing coaches have to prepare a special game for him. But hey . . . who am I? I’m just a loyal fan. Good luck to both n God Bless America!!
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