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NBA Player Power Rankings: Damian Lillard for MVP?

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Brooklyn Nets 112-104 at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard finished the game with 34 points. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Brooklyn Nets 112-104 at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard finished the game with 34 points. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 21, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates after making a three point shot during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pelicans defeated the Pistons 111-106. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) celebrates after making a three point shot during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pelicans defeated the Pistons 111-106. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Last Rank: No. 6

Position: Power Forward

Age: 22

Slash Line: .503/.305/.746

Season Averages: 35.7 MPG, 24.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 1.9 APG, 2.2 BPG, 1.3 SPG

In his first game back from All-Star Weekend, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans made a bit of a statement. He scored 34 points and blocked two shots with 20 trips to the free throw line as New Orleans picked up a much-needed win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Clearly, you’re not here to read about that performance.

Davis turned the NBA on its head with an explosive 59-point and 20-rebound eruption against the Detroit Pistons. He shot 24-of-34 from the field, made a pair of 3-point field goals, and even found the time to dish out four assists as he dismantled Andre Drummond and the Pistons’ frontcourt.

Very few players have ever been able to do what Davis did against Detroit.

Davis’ following game saw him score just nine points, but he pulled down 20 rebounds yet again—an impressive enough feat unto itself. Back-to-back 20-rebound performances would’ve been enough to move Davis up this list, but scoring 59 points is unspeakably incredible.

Davis has been pegged by many as the next best player in the NBA, and games like this suggest his perch atop the Association is only so far away.

Next: The Next In Line