Hornets expected to pick Davis with No. 1 pick

Don’t expect much drama in the first few minutes of tomorrow’s NBA Draft.

The worst kept secret in recent local sports history is widely expected to come to fruition, as the Hornets are almost certain to select Kentucky forward Anthony Davis with the No. 1 overall pick.

Clad in Hornets gear, Davis all but spilled the beans this week, saying he is excited to be the team’s new building block into the future.

The Hornets were the only team Davis’ camp visited in the weeks leading to the draft.

“There’s a lot of pressure (being the No. 1 pick),” Davis said. “But you just have got to find a way to downplay everything and just have fun with the game – don’t think about a lot … and just play basketball.

“I’m not sure yet if New Orleans feels like home yet. If I get picked here, then sure, but until then, not as much.”

It’s easy to see why the Hornets would want to build around Davis.

With a 6-foot, 10-inch, 220-pound frame, Davis overwhelmed opponents in his lone season at Kentucky, averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game.

But offense is just a small portion of Davis’ repertoire.

The standout forward averaged a whopping 4.7 blocks per game and had five or more rejections 20 times at Kentucky.

Davis is widely expected to grow into his offense as his career blossoms. The prospect grew up as a point guard but transformed to a post player after growing close to a foot late in his teenage years.

The prospect admits his offense is a work in progress. He does believe he can have an immediate defensive impact.

“Guys at this level are really smart,” he said. “They will do a lot of pump fakes and crafty moves to get you into the air to try and draw fouls. I’ve got to play even smarter now because college and the NBA are way different. … I think I can do that.”

Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said Davis met with Hornets coach Monty Williams and team owner Tom Benson during his short visit to the city.

Davis confirmed those visits took place and added that he watched some NBA Finals action with Williams and also enjoyed a “solid visit” with Benson.

“It was great,” the prospect said. “It was good to see the facility. It was good to talk to Coach Williams and Mr. Demps and have them just show me around.”

The proverbial tour of the city is not a customary thing for most future draft picks.

But when one has the top pick, some special accommodations are usually made.

Demps said Davis is a “special” player.

“He’s still just the potential No. 1 pick,” Demps said with a rye grin. “We’re excited. We’re definitely very excited.”

Demps’ recent transactions may shed a little more light into why the general manager has that mysterious grin.

The Hornets traded highly-priced small forward Trevor Ariza and equally well-paid center Emeka Okafor to the Washington Wizards for small forward Rashard Lewis and the No. 46 pick in tomorrow’s draft.

That move would seemingly clear the paint for Davis’ debut, as Okafor was the team’s starting center in each of the past three seasons.

“This would be a great opportunity,” Davis said. “I love winning. Winning a championship and possibly doing it in New Orleans would be great.”

The only small hiccup in Davis’ path to New Orleans include a few disparaging remarks his family members made about the NBA Draft Lottery when it was announced that the Hornets had won the No. 1 pick.

National reports say Davis’ mother and close family would have preferred if the prospect were selected by the Charlotte Bobcats because Davis has close family in the area.

Davis confirmed his mother made those remarks, but added he is happy to likely be a part of New Orleans’ plans.

He has some history in the city, as the Superdome was the site of Kentucky’s National Championship victory.

“It’s great. This is a great city,” he said. “Winning the national championship here was great. I love it. I love Popeyes, so that’s a bonus. I really like what I’m seeing here.”

The No. 1 selection won’t be the only action for the Hornets tomorrow night.

The Bees also own the No. 10 pick in the draft.

Mock draft forecasts have Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger, Baylor forward Perry Jones III, North Carolina forward John Henson, Duke guard Austin Rivers and North Carolina guard Kendall Marshall among the possible selections.

Demps said the team may also opt to trade the pick to either move up or down in the draft if the right offer presents itself.

Regardless, having options is something the Hornets covet.

“We’re happy to have the No. 1 pick, but we’re also excited about No. 10, too,” Demps said. “We are thrilled with the direction this organization is going. No one was happy about last season, there’s no question about that. But the future is bright and we’re going to learn from the past.”