Long-term legacy assurance appears to be in the works for Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis, even in the unlikely event that he fails to make another All-Star appearance (assuming he maintains his health) or leads a team to another championship.

However, it is noteworthy that not all individuals concur with the precise assessment of the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year candidate’s historical prowess.

Ty Hopkins, a lifestyle expert based in Detroit, disclosed his viewpoint that Anthony Davis, a certain first-ballot future Hall of Fаmer, is not on par with Derrick Coleman, a legendary NBA big man who fell short of the Hall of Fаme but achieved historic status as a former New Jersey Nets All-Star and All-NBA power forward/center, in a conversation with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Bovada.

“I would take DC over AD just because he was the one that created the term ‘stretch four,'” Robinson responded to Hopkins. “Derrick Coleman was larger than life when I was a child growing up in Detroit and observing him firsthand; his jersey number, 44, is inspired by the renowned San Antonio Spurs swingman George Gervin, who is also from Detroit. Thus, in a sense, he modeled himself after a large man. Consequently, he would occasionally propel the boulder from coast to coast, left-handedly, by tossing it up and performing similar maneuvers. Therefore, it was a privilege to perform on a stage in Detroit that was filled with PSL luminaries.” 

Coleman attended Northern, a secondary school in Detroit, Michigan, for his senior year of high school before transferring to Syracuse for his four-year collegiate career.

“Therefore, DC was the most dominant brother among us,” Hopkins explained. “So just to watch DC first hand, it’s just incredible… DC would meet Anthony Davis.”

The 6’10” big man averaged 16.5 points alongside the Philadelphia 76ers, Mopkins’ Detroit Pistons, the Nets, and Charlotte Hornets throughout a 15-year tenure. He also contributed 9.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.8 steals per contest. Two times with the Nets, he was named to the All-NBA and one-time All-Star teams.

In terms of accomplishments, Davis surpasses Coleman. He was a one-time NBA champion with Los Angeles, an eight-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA selection, a four-time All-Defensive Team member, and a member of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary team. However, Mopkins believes that the legendary Detroit player was somewhat prescient in comparison to Davis.