By LARRY VAUGHT
Reading that Dick Vitale thinks Anthony Davis is headed for NBA stardom is really no surprie. However, reading in ESPN The Magazine that Bobby Knight also praised Davis was something I did not expect.
Remember, Knight doesn’t say anything good about Davis, or Kentucky basketball. He can’t make himself do it. Yet take a look at what he said for the magazine story about Davis, the expected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
“I’ll tell you exactly what Anthony Davis is — he’s a young Bill Russell … And Russell was by far, and will always be, the most valuable player ever in sport,” said Knight.
Never mind that back in March the same comparison was made by Jim Host when I did an interview with him during the NCAA tourney and Host went into greater depth to explain why he would compare a college freshman to one of the best basketball players of all time. And Host is not a hypocrite like Knight who is a better bully than college basketball analyst.
Vitale didn’t go quite that far. Instead, he compares him more favorably to San Antonio Spur standout Tim Duncan, the first pick in the 1997 draft who has made the Spurs an elite franchise.
“ New Orleans hopes that Kentucky’s Anthony Davis can do the same thing, helping the franchise become a big-time, consistent winner,” Vitale wrote on ESPN.com. “When I compare Duncan and Davis, I feel the former Wake Forest star entered the pros with a more refined offensive game; he had more scoring ability and skill. Davis comes into the league with more defensive ability, including the shot-blocking skills and timing that were so impressive in leading the Wildcats to a national championship. Both Duncan and Davis are class personified. They both came in to their respective situations showing that they would be great teammates.”
Vitale correctly notes there is no one else in this year’s draft like Davis, a similar situation to what there was in 1997.
“Davis is a shot-blocker who can dominate a game. I believe he will have a very special pro career. The drop-off from stardom after him is big,” Vitale wrote.
12 Responses to Vitale praising Davis no surprise, but having Knight compare him to Bill Russell is huge surprise
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screw knight
Grant, your few words probably summed up exactly how most UK fans feel
Agree with you grant, booby nightmare is one mistake someone made by allowing him to walk this earth. I think he needs to be medicated and kept in a padded cell!
I guess since Anthony Davis can no longer wear a Kentucky uniform, Knight feels free to give us his opinion…keep it Knight, most Kentucky fans are not interested in what you have to say about our players.
You hit the nail on the head. If Davis was still at UK, RMK would probably have a list of top college players, none of whom played here. Now that he’s gone, he gives his unbiased opinion, comparing him to one of the best players of all time.
I feel sorry for Bobby Knight… what a miserable, old, pitiful human being.
Question is Bobby Boy coming out of the NCAA basketball closet? Yes Mr. Knight not only does Kentucky have an Basketball team but you were not John Madden’s partner on Monday night football . Now since your on an roll can you please stop calling games so we can have someone whom can remember the play they just saw and are talking about ! Mr. Knight Kentucky has an saying that may help you in life OUT TO PASTURE
I just wonder if someone at ESPN lit a fire under Knight and told him if he wanted to keep his job he couldn’t ignore a massive talent like Davis. I don’t believe BK could bring himself to praise anything UK no matter what. But losing his last paying gig (who else would hire him besides ESPN?) was something he couldn’t afford to do so he knuckled under and bit his tongue and gave AD the praise he deserves. Remember it was just before the tournament when Knight refused to even list AD as a possible All America candidate much less a POY pick. Why the change? I don’t think just leaving the UK team would be enough. I think it was speak up or shut up for BK at ESPN and there’s no money in not speaking up. So he did what he had to do to keep a paycheck IMO. I just don’t think he would say this on his own.
Maybe he was sober when asked about Davis?
ROFLMAO
no doubt
ukfan you might be right haha very good