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NBA Player Power Rankings: Top 20 Players at Midway Point

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates after a dunk against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Hornets 109-107 Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates after a dunk against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Hornets 109-107 Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Last Rank: No. 8

Position: Power Forward

Age: 22

Slash Line: .491/.274/.762

Season Averages: 35.7 MPG, 23.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.0 ORPG, 1.7 APG, 2.4 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 0.5 3PM

For the better part of the 2015-16 NBA season, the New Orleans Pelicans have been one of the most underwhelming teams in the NBA. Fresh off of reaching the playoffs in 2014-15, New Orleans is 14-27 with starting shooting guard Eric Gordon facing an extended absence after undergoing surgery on his right ring finger.

Don’t let that detract from Anthony Davis’ tremendous play.

Davis continues to post statistics that rival some of the most prolific players in NBA history. According to Basketball-Reference.com, Davis is the first player to average at least 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steal since himself in 2014-15, Elton Brand in 2005-06, and Kevin Garnett in 2003-04.

Before KG, no player had done it since Alonzo Mourning, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson in 1995-96.

This past week, Davis led New Orleans to two wins in three games. He scored 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting during a victory over the Charlotte Hornets, had 21 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and three steals in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, and tallied 35 points in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Individually, Davis has been tremendous in 2015-16.

Next: The Eruption