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NBA: Anthony Davis Should Be League MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

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
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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An Improbable Postseason Appearance

On paper, the New Orleans Pelicans have a very intriguing roster. Jrue Holiday was an All-Star in 2013, Ryan Anderson won Most Improved Player in 2012, Tyreke Evans is a former Rookie of the Year, Eric Gordon is a max contract player and Omer Asik is widely-regarded as a defensive anchor.

That’s on paper.

Anderson, coming off of neck surgery, shot a career-worst 34.0 percent from 3-point range and converted just 39.9 percent of his field goal attempts. He also missed 21 games due to injury, including an extensive absence due to a sprained MCL suffered in the midst of New Orleans’ postseason push.

Holiday, the starting point guard, missed 42 games during the 2014-15 NBA regular season. Tyreke Evans filled in admirably, but Holiday’s defensive prowess was dearly missed.

Asik was supposed to be the tone-setter defensively, but he accumulated an opponent field goal percentage at the rim of 51.1 percent. That’s worse than the league average.

Gordon, meanwhile, shot a career-best 44.8 percent from 3-point range. It was a wildly successful season in that regard, but he also missed 21 games and shot just 38.0 percent on 2-point field goals.

To make matters worse, New Orleans’ bench ranked No. 20 in points per game and No. 19 in difference in efficiency, per HoopsStats.com.

Even still, the Pelicans are in the playoffs for the first time since 2010-11.

This is in no attempt to downplay the value of Davis’ teammates, who have played a huge part in the Pelicans making it as far as they have. Instead, it’s acknowledging the fact that injuries and inefficiency have plagued New Orleans’ season.

Davis has been the steadying force.

Next: Defining is Value

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