Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Most Valuable Player Award In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
NBA
Oct 1, 2016; Bossier City, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) passes the ball as Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) applies the pressure during the first half at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Anthony Davis

Is there any MVP candidate more overlooked than Anthony Davis right now? Remember, this was the guy who put up a 24-10-3-2-2 stat line as recently as 2014-15, when he led the New Orleans Pelicans to the playoffs, challenged Wilt Chamberlain‘s all-time best Player Efficiency Rating and finished fifth in MVP voting for a 45-win team.

With the Pellies dropping to 30 wins last season and the Brow missing 21 games, however, his stock took a slight hit in 2015-16. He failed to make another leap in his fourth year, and the concerning narrative that he has yet to play 70 games in a single season gained more steam.

New Orleans probably didn’t do enough to get him help this summer, but the pressure is back on this singular talent to stay healthy and carry a lackluster supporting cast into the playoff picture again in 2016-17.

That’s going to be a tall task for the Brow, especially with Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans out to start the season. Davis’ best teammates right now are E’Twaun Moore, Solomon Hill and rookie Buddy Hield, for crying out loud. But if the Brow somehow elevates his game and puts the Pelicans in the running for a postseason spot, it’ll be hard to deny him some MVP votes.