As if getting the consensus #1 pick in the NBA Draft, Anthony Davis, was not enough, the New Orleans Hornets scored another coup when they landed Duke’s Austin Rivers at the 10th spot.
While it usually takes young core some time to develop, just look at the Oklahoma City Thunder. They drafted Kevin Durant (Texas), Russell Westbrook (UCLA), and James Harden (Arizona State) out of college. The organization was patient, and their patience just rewarded them with a trip to the 2012 NBA Finals.
Kentucky teammate of Anthony Davis, Darius Miller, 6’8, 225 lbs., was selected at the 46th pick. His familiarity with Davis will certainly play to his advantage.
This young core of Anthony Davis, a defensive stalwart, and Austin Rivers, a sharp shooter, will make a great tandem. As long as the Hornets keep their stars and build around them, this should be a perennial playoff team for years to come.
Another positive with this young core is the clutch factor. Davis has the clutch factor on defense, as he showed all season and in the NCAA Championship Game.
Davis’ defense:
Rivers has the clutch factor on offense, as he demonstrated with his game-winner over rival North Carolina on the road.
Rivers’ game-winner:
Another recent addition to the Hornets, Rashard Lewis, who went to the NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic in 2009, is a solid veteran who can provide some leadership.
Although one draft typically does not turn a non-playoff team into one, this young core the Hornets now possess should get them back to the playoffs soon.
Rob S. De France is a College and University Instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric and Composition. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.
