[draft2017Participant]

When Blake Griffen was coming out of Oklahoma he was a monster and a clear cut number 1 pick. My question is coming out of college who would you take with the #1 pick Anthony Davis or Blake Griffren?

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

ESPN had a 5-on-5 about this exactly, ’10 Griffin or ’12 Davis, and all 5 chose Davis. Must say I agree.

Griffin was not tremendously skilled on the offensive end coming out of college but was so active and physically dominant and commanding on offense that he managed to score around 24 a night. Davis also does not have many skills to point to but scored 15 a night with a preposterous 9% usage rate, which is the usage rate of a 5th or 6th option or 7th. 15 points with no go-to moves and a 9% usage rate signals limitless potential.

Meanwhile, while Griffin appeared to be scraping his ceiling as a scorer (24-28 range), he was never expected to more than a "good" defender. Davis could be the best in the league within three years. Combine that with his demonstrated potential to score outside (guard’s shooting eye) and willingness to exercise his extraordinary gifts on both ends and you have a real game changer, something Griffin couldn’t really be. Griffin was assured to be a perennial All-Star, even a superstar, but Davis is someone even more special, A Garnett or Duncan who promises annual all-defense appearances in addition to potentially having his way on offense.

[TyroberParticipant]

 Give me Davis. Griffin has got to start doing more than just dunking it every chance he can get. Davis can completely take over a game while not even thinking about scoring. Both are very special talents and Griffin will probably get more media attention, but Davis is a winner

[draft2017Participant]

i think blake griffen, he actually made oklahoma a threat that 1 year, anthony davis could be the better pro but blake’s offensive production and athletic ability cant be overlooked

[JNixonParticipant]

 Blake Griffin

[surveParticipant]

 man, you guys really think a lot of Davis.  he dominated and he can absolutely take over a game without scoring…..ON THE COLLEGE LEVEL!!!!

Also, Griffin’s skill is somewhat underated, although as an NBA player he is not.  He is more than a dunker.  He does rely on athleticism, but so does Davis.  Griffin is OX strong though and I can see his offensive game vastly improving.  He is like another Kemp to me.  Kemp was pretty skilled too, but the only thing people thought he could do was dunk for a while.

I would pick Griffin.  

Also, I think there are several players who have a chance to be better pros than Davis.  Barnes, Beal, MKG, Sullinger, and Robinson could all have better careers.  Then there are players like Rivers, PJIII, Ross, who are not to be slept on in terms of talent. 

Davis is a great talent but I just dont feel he is as far ahead of the other prospects as he is made out to be.

[drk3351Participant]

Davis no doubt. He effects the game on both sides of the ball not just one like griffin. He can someday become a top 5 interior defender (maybe better) plus being a threat offensively. While Griffin i would take on offensive side is not a game changer on defense like davis. 

[Broken HelixParticipant]

I would choose Blake Griffin. I can’t justify picking Anthony Davis until I see him play a full year in the NBA.

[NYK2010Participant]

ESPN would take Davis over Hakeem, KG, Ewing, Mourning too.

Probably any big men except Shaq and Duncan.

[WizardofOzParticipant]

Davis. I’m not sure he’ll produce offensively like Griffin did right out the gate, but he’ll have a much bigger defensive impact.

[mosdefParticipant]

I would take Davis over Blake cuz Davis defends the wing good as well as the post. He can dribble. He can hit FTs which Blake struggles with. Davis is a better shot blocker

I would take Davis over Oden I wouldnt have over Hakeem, Ewing or Duncan, but Davis is up there in the top 5 of possible #1 picks in the last 20 years, IMO

[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

Can Anthony Davis enter the league first before a debate like this begins to brew?

[MagikKnickParticipant]

 Happens every year…sigh

Last Year…Kyrie Irving or John Wall?!

Before that…John Wall or Derrick Rose?!

Before that…Blake Griffin or Kevin Love!?

 

Sheesh, at the least we should know what team hes going to play for before we start debating…

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

??????

Give me Blake Griffin

You guys do know that in his first 2 years Griffin is averaging 21.7 PPG and 11.5 RPG while shooting 53% from the field right?

Wait until Anthony Davis at least plays a game first, sheesh, im telling yall who keep hyping Davis up, if he fails don’t start making excuses, he’s good I agree, but I’m not comparing him to a top PF and he hasn’t even played a game yet.

[mosdefParticipant]

I dont think Griffin is going to dunk of Anthony Davis

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

Blake Griffin will dunk all over Anthony Davis, too strong and explosive for Davis right now.

[surveParticipant]

 I agree with you guys that say we do have to see Davis play in the league first.  I am not so sure how we can automatically assume he will dominate defensively out the gate.  Even if he did how does he fit into a system offensively?  You have to keep in mind that Davis looked phenomenal with a team full of HS All Americans…but in HS?  And you cant just camp and wait for blocks in the lane in the NBA..you will have to know where your man is at all times….and PG’s are a lot smarter than to just drive in and challenge.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I think the question is, who was the better prospect, as in is Davis better now than Griffin was when he was drafted, not how he is right now.  I would go with Davis for his more complete overall game.  Griffin is a defensive liability at times, and he just was more limited at that end in college, too, though he was a solid NCAA defender due to his strength, athleticism, and rebounding ability.  I just feel that Davis is more ready to come in and be an efficient contributor than Griffin was, although we never got to see for sure due to Griffin’s injury.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

 Griffin is the safer pick even just based on their college careers and definitely based on his NBA play. But Davis has more upside. There are really two questions here. Would you take Blake out of college over Davis (but you aren’t guaranteed Blake will become the NBA player he did become) or if you had the number one pick and the Clippers offered you Blake in a trade for it, which would you do. If you wouldn’t trade the number one pick for Blake, what would you need for it? 

[Ghost01Participant]

 Griffin was a far superior player than Davis coming out, and was only a year older. Better rebounder, scorer, and athlete.

But he doesn’t….BLOCK SHOTS?!?!?!? Ohhhhh Noooooo

[NYK2010Participant]

Davis dominated college players and the best players either were on his team or he rarely faced.

Not like he played 3 or 4 years and dominated so long that you could see his game grow.

At least wait till summer league to see what he does against some nba players.

I know not a lot of defense isn’t played in them but your main competition are young nba players are ones that were just drafted.  

Davis reminds me of Marcus Camby but with a better offensive game becaz of the jump shot.

Maybe he’s more like KG who didn’t have a solid jumper till Mchale worked on it in Minny.

Griffin is like Karl Malone/Amare Stoudemire but more athletic he just needs to work on his jump shot and free throws.  The block shots aren’t a huge deal he’s got a shot blocker next to him anyway in Jordan.

Block shots can be overrated look at Tyson Chandler he’s 7 feet blocked just 1.4 shots this season but won defensive player of the year.

[kobyzParticipant]

give me Anthony Davis! Griffin is an injury prone and i feel Anthony Davis game, attribution and approach is more of a winning brand of basketball when you look at the long run and at the bigger picture!

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

I’m not sure who I’d take – probably Davis but it’s close – but there’s no point in waiting to see Davis play to make the pick.  The question isn’t will Davis be as good in the NBA, but whether as a prospect before the NBA he’s better than Blake… i.e. if they were both the same class who would you take #1.  It’s the same as the Oden/Durant discussion.  Coming out, Oden was clearly the right choice – their NBA successes and failures haven’t changed that.

[kobyzParticipant]

also it will be much easier to build a championteam team around Davis, he has that nature and formula!

[joecheck88Participant]

 It’s easy to say Blake Griffin right now. But out of college we all debated Griffin. He was undersized, couldn’t shoot, didn’t have the best post game. He was the number 1 pick but we weren’t sure if he was a superstar. Some saw a star. Others saw a Kenyon Martin type game from him(I admit I was one). So, out of college, it’s real close. Especially since I’m not a Davis fan. He could be a KG type but I’m not sure. That’s hard to live up to. I would still choose Griffin out if college. I thought he was at least a 18 and 8 guy. David I’m not sure what his worst will be. I think he could struggle. 

[surveParticipant]

 I feel you completely but I disagree.  I thought Griffin was an absolute star, even if he wasnt the #1 pick overall.  He made Oklahoma into a force and he was a man amongst boys.  He had some good players along side him, but surely not like Davis had.   Davis absolutely dominated, but he had a lot of help too….particularly with Terrance Jones being a good shotblocker and rebounder and the defense of MKG and Lamb on the perimeter.  UK was an excellent defensive team all around, not just Davis.  Griffin put OK back on the map.  While he couldnt do a lot of the things you say, his blend of strength and athleticism is rare in a guy that young.  Not many prospects like that.  Lebron is the quickest that comes to mind.

This is how I look at it.  Had Drummond had a great year, he’d be #1 because of his physical maturity and athleticism.  Take Drummond out, put Griffin in, with what he did with Oklahoma and the pieces he did it with and Davis with UK and the pieces he did it with and Griffin is my choice.

 

[juslistinParticipant]

I have watched Blake play in college and watched Davis played in college and I have to say Davis was a force in college no doubt on the defensive end, but there is something about Davis that just throws me off and can’t persuade me to be sold on him just yet. I know he’s a defensive presence and anchors a defense with his shot blocking ability but knowing his limitations on offense really make me think twice. The guy excels at getting buckets in transition or putbacks but other then that I don’t see a strong offensive game. Davis really reminds me of a young Marcus Camby. Camby was always a big shot blocker who could run the floor if you need him too but never got his offensive game down and ended up being just a defensive specialist. This limitation alone makes Blake the better pick because of what he can provide to a team with his offensive ability, although his defense may be suspect at time he can hold his own.

[joecheck88Participant]

 No doubt. I remember the arguments. Some said he was a star. But there were others, myself included that thought he would just be a really athletic hustle player similar to a young Kenyon Martin. 

[joecheck88Participant]

 No doubt. I remember the arguments. Some said he was a star. But there were others, myself included that thought he would just be a really athletic hustle player similar to a young Kenyon Martin. 

[surveParticipant]

 I watched Camby at UMass growing up.  Watching Davis this past year, and I see a lot of hype.  Not that they hype is baseless or that he wont be a great player….but Camby was just as hyped and his UMass team was nothing in comparison to talent of UK.  I mean Travieso and Padilla were good, but nothing like the talent of Teague and Lamb.  Donta Bright was a good player too, but no where near the level of MKG.

Camby was POY.  His team was #1 through out the course of the season.  He went to the Final Four.  He blocked about 4 shots per game.   Camby was a pretty good offensive player though, particularly his final year.  While Davis has the tools to be a better scorer than Camby, I dont think he will be by much.  

On the other hand, Griffin will never be a great shotblocker, but he does have the tools to be a good defender.  

[Ghost01Participant]

 I still don’t get why people believe Davis will ever be a dominant offensive force…the guy doesn’t do much offensively at all. Would love him as a piece on a contender, but he will struggle as savior of the Bobcats.

[M-EazyParticipant]

Blake averaged 22 & 12 as a rookie.  Just a year ago he was being called the best rookie since Tim Duncan.  No way do I see Anthony Davis putting up those numbers. 

[joecheck88Participant]

 Yes but you can’t use Blake’s career to date. The question is coming out of college. Coming out of college, this is very close. Blake put up huge numbers his sophomore year but there were questions about how his offensive game and defense would translate to the NBA game. Davis has similar questions about his offense but was a great shot blocker. 

To me, the answer is Blake because he always had elite strength and rebounding which almost always translates. I always thought at worst he would be a starter for a good team. He would at worst be an 18 & 9 guy. While Davis, I am not sold on. There is no way I think he can play SF even for his rookie year. He is a 4 man and a weak one. Honestly, I see a skinnier Serge Ibaka at this point. I’ve seen him hit hook shots in the post but otherwise nothing to write home about. I think at best he is a third option and good defender not the franchise talent everyone thinks. If he becomes the next KG I’ll admit I was wrong but I don’t see it. If a team like Cleveland, Washington, Detroit, or Portland gets the number 1 pick with established or prospects at the 4(Thompson, Nene, Monroe, & Aldridge are all PFs in my mind), I have no problems with them selecting Drummond 1. I believe Drummind has the chance to be as good of a shot blocker, better post defender & rebounder with his strength, and no worse than Davis offensively though I think Drummind can put it together and be the best C in the league. He is boom or bust(he will stay in the league for years though) but like I said, Davis is far from a sure thing in my mind. 

[Author]

Posts