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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The Advanced Metrics

There are few things more polarizing in the world of sports than a Player Efficiency Rating. While it’s hardly the end-all, be-all, there are instances in which it’s telling and reflective.

This is one of them.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Anthony Davis’ PER of 30.89 has only been exceeded by three players in NBA history: Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

Davis’ mark is is the highest since LeBron James in 2012-13—a year in which he won MVP. James also exceeded 30.89 in 2008-09 and 2009-10, winning MVP in each of those seasons, as well.

Before James, it’d been nearly 20 years since another player had reached that mark.

Before James, Jordan did it in 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90 and 1990-91. Jordan won MVP in 1988 and 1991, with the iconic Magic Johnson taking the awards in 1989 and 1990.

Chamberlain’s three seasons with a higher PER—1961-62, 1962-63 and 1963-64—did not net him the MVP award. His numbers in those campaigns: 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds in 1962, 44.8 points and 24.3 rebounds in 1963, and 36.9 points, 22.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 1964.

In other words, they were all-time seasons—much like Davis’ was.

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