Kobe Bryant: Pelicans' Anthony Davis 'an athletic Pau Gasol'

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis is "an athletic Pau Gasol." Bryant won two championships with Gasol in Los Angeles before the big man signed with the Chicago Bulls during the offseason.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis is "an athletic Pau Gasol," Lakers Nation's Serena Winters reports. 

Bryant won two championships with Gasol in Los Angeles before the big man signed with the Chicago Bulls during the offseason. Bryant was also a teammate of Davis' on the United States men's basketball team during the 2012 London Olympics, where they defeated Gasol and Spain for the gold medal.

Davis, 21, is off to a strong start in his third season since being the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft. Through six games, he is averaging 24.8 points, 13.0 rebounds and 4.2 blocks while shooting 51.8 percent from the field. The Pelicans are 3-3 and in fifth place in the uber-competitive Southwest Division.

Kobe on facing NOP & Anthony Davis tomorrow: "AD's outrageous. It's going to be fun to see it up close." (on TWC)

— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 12, 2014

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Bryant, 36, leads the league in points per game at 26.7, but he is shooting just 39.3 percent while attempting 24 shots per game. He set the NBA record for career missed shots during Tuesday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Los Angeles is 1-6 on the season and in last place in the Pacific Division.

The Lakers and Pelicans play in New Orleans on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

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- Paul Palladino