Halo

New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis is just 21 years old, yet he may already be on the way to becoming one of the NBA's greatest players this season.

Look no further than Davis' sensational 2014-15 debut in the Pelicans' 101-84 victory over the Orlando Magic. Although expectations are quite low for the young Magic this year, youth is no excuse for Davis, who had a game for the ages.



Davis put up 26 points and 17 rebounds, which are impressive enough—not to mention a whopping nine blocked shots to go with two assists and three steals in only 36 minutes.

The big man, chosen No. 1 overall in the 2012 draft, indeed appears to be the next "chosen one."

After the game, Davis noted how his defensive expertise helped the Pelicans soar.

"Our defense kind of picked up our offense," said Davis, per NOLA.com's John Reid. "We got a lot of easy transition plays. We just got to make sure we rebound like we did, even the guards, it will make our team better. I just made sure I rebounded, hustled, defend the paint and try to run the floor."

Well prior to Tuesday's monster outing, Bleacher Report's Howard Beck made the case that Davis may already be the third-best individual in the Association behind LeBron James and Kevin Durant:



Fox Sports Detroit's Mateen Cleaves argued the same point Tuesday:



ESPN Stats & Info observed how such a performance as Davis recorded at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans was unprecedented:



CBS Sports' Zach Harper offered context to note that most of Davis' damage was done before the fourth quarter commenced:



Averages of 20.8 points, 10 rebounds and almost three blocks per contest last season may have already been enough for Davis to garner the "elite" label among frontcourt players. Tuesday hinted at something more—something truly special.

With how tremendous Davis already is as a defender, how well he runs the floor in transition and the room he has to improve all facets of his offensive game, he could become unstoppable someday.

If Tuesday's season opener is any indication, perhaps that day has already arrived.

In an era that has put so much emphasis on the perimeter game and has seen a dearth of big men emerge as franchise cornerstones, Davis is different. What should help his cause to remain an absolute terror in the paint is the presence of fellow frontcourt mate Omer Asik.

Both New Orleans bigs are exceptional rebounders and excel on defense. They will be helping out each other, and while Asik will draw the stronger players in the post, Davis can effortlessly rotate over to swat shots.

As Davis continues to develop with his back to the basket and as a post player, perhaps by acquiring more strength, the fast-break opportunities he and Asik create will see him score easy buckets in bunches, too.

Asik may be overshadowed, and rightly so, but he pitched in 17 boards and five blocks against the Magic.

For those immune to overreaction after Davis' effort versus Orlando, he will face plenty of quality competition in a stacked Western Conference to show off his skills. If he is able to lift the Pelicans into relevancy and spark them to a playoff appearance, Davis can then be promoted as a legitimate top-tier stud.

Until then, fans, pundits and even casual basketball observers can appreciate the unique brand of basketball Davis will treat everyone to as he continues his ascent toward superstar status.

Read more New Orleans Pelicans news on BleacherReport.com



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