Durant: Davis will lead NBA for scoring

Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant made an early prediction, tipping New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis to lead the NBA in scoring this season.

Durant made the prediction after three-time All-Star Davis opened his season with a memorable 50 points on Wednesday.

Speaking before Friday’s matchup between the two teams, Durant – who has topped the league’s scoring on four occasions – heaped praise on the 23-year-old.

“[Anthony Davis is] probably going to lead the league in scoring this year easily … 50 for him is a good game, and now [he’s like] move it to the next one,” Durant said.

“It’s kind of a customary night for him.

“It’s hard to defend him. You can’t. His first step is probably the quickest I’ve seen in a while at his position.

“He’s long, he can shoot it, he can dribble it, he can shoot the three — so he’s doing just about everything out there on the court.”

Durant’s Warriors team-mate Steph Curry, who was last season’s scoring leader, added: “Nobody likes getting 50 dropped on them, whether you win or you lose.

“Even though you obviously want to win, you don’t want to overreact to him making tough shots. If you give up a bunch of transition layups, alley-oops, uncontested shots, then you have issues because that builds confidence. But that other stuff you can live with, with a guy that talented.”