NBA Player Power Rankings: Mid-March MVP Rankings

May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 15, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) drives to the basket past Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Power Forward
Age: 24 (3/11/1993)
Experience: 5th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .499/.321/.795
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.1 MPG, 27.9 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 2.2 APG, 2.3 BPG, 1.2 SPG

At some point in time, Anthony Davis will need to be penalized more heavily for producing big numbers on a bad team. He’s essentially the Elton Brand of this era at this stage of his career, albeit with more gaudy scoring numbers.

True as that may be, it’s tough to drop Davis any lower than this after the week that he had for the New Orleans Pelicans—due in large part to the team’s success.

New Orleans won two of its three games, which is progress unto itself. Davis tallied 15 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in just 29 minutes during the 100-77 blowout of the Portland Trail Blazers.

More importantly, Davis went off for 46 points and 21 rebounds on 18-of-31 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range during a 125-122 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

When a player can produce in the manner Davis consistently does, it’s hard to say much about them in a negative tone. At 24 years of age, Davis is already one of the Top 10 talents that the NBA has to offer.

As soon as New Orleans solidifies its perimeter with a more reliable collection of players, Davis should be back in the playoffs—and back in the MVP conversation.