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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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Extraordinary Value

Anthony Davis’ value ranges beyond individual statistics. Per Basketball-Reference.com, the Pelicans were a plus-5.6 with Davis on the floor.

They fell all the way to a minus-5.7 without him, which creates a difference of 11.3 points per 100 possessions. That’s essentially a drop-off from being a playoff team to competing for the top pick.

Perhaps most shockingly, the Pelicans allowed 109.1 points per 100 possessions once Davis came off the floor. They also scored 103.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the bench.

Those numbers improved to 111.3 points scored—7.8 points more—and 105.7 points allowed—3.4 less—with Davis on the court.

For something more concrete, New Orleans went 6-8 without Davis and 39-29 with him in the lineup. Those may not be the most impressive records, but it’s a testament to how Davis has transformed New Orleans from an afterthought to a playoff team in the deep Western Conference.

Keep in mind, ESPN Insider and countless other media outlets almost unanimously projected the Pelicans to miss the playoffs and flirt with 41 wins.

In the final two games of the regular season—both of which were must-win to get New Orleans into the playoffs—Davis had his, “Heisman Moments,” if you will.

He had 24 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks, five assists and two steals in a 100-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He followed that up by tallying 33 points, 11 boards, three blocks and two steals in a 108-103 win against the San Antonio Spurs.

Individual performances don’t win MVP, but given the timing of them, they were exclamation points to an extraordinary season.

With historically significant statistics and the leadership of an overachieving 47-35 season, Davis—a 22-year-old with three seasons and 199 games of NBA experience—deserves to be MVP.

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