NBA: Anthony Davis Should Be League MVP

Apr 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates after a win against the San Antonio Spurs in a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Spurs 108-103 to earn the 8th seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

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Historical Statistics, Part II

Just as impressive as the volume of Anthony Davis’ statistics is the efficiency with which he’s recorded them. He shot 53.5 percent from the field and 80.5 percent from the free throw line.

Per Basketball-Reference.com, the last player to score at least 24.0 points on at least 53.5 percent shooting from the field and 80.0 percent from the charity stripe was Amar’e Stoudemire in 2007-08.

Stoudemire didn’t win MVP that year, but he also wasn’t a front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year while simultaneously dominating on offense.

Before STAT in 2008, a player hadn’t posted those numbers since Michael Jordan and Chris Mullin did it in 1990-91. Jordan won MVP that year, while Mullin was named All-NBA.

To be associated with those three scorers is—once again—rare company.

Both from a scoring and well-rounded statistical perspective, Davis was absolutely superb in 2014-15. For those who’d like to get down to the specific numbers, Davis is the first player to average at least 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks since Shaquille O’Neal in 1999-2000, per Basketball-Reference.com.

At 22 years old, Davis has the numbers to be MVP.

Next: Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James and Michael Jordan

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