After a month into the season, Anthony Davis is putting up monster numbers and looks like he is the best player in the league. 15 games in and he is 4th in the NBA in scoring, 6th in rebounds, 1st in blocked shots, and amazingly 4th in steals. 15 games isn’t a large sample size, but it’s enough to prove some consistency. While one would have to imagine that Anthony Davis’s numbers would have to take a slight dip as the season progresses, right now, his numbers reflect those that would have to warrant MVP considerations. However, even if Davis finishes the season with these exact numbers, he still has no chance of winning MVP.
Putting up Numbers on a Bad Team
One could argue that Anthony Davis is just the next decent player that puts up great numbers on a bad team. The Kevin Loves, Stephon Marburys and David Lees of the world all know about this conspiracy. There is usually one player that plays on a team that is less than average that puts up inflated numbers because the rest of the roster isn’t good enough to help contribute to production. Because of this, sub-par NBA players have gotten monster contracts over the years that they haven’t lived up to. This isn’t to say Davis isn’t a great player because he is and he is getting better and better with each game that he plays. It’s more of a result of the players around him. It’s not his fault that he plays in the loaded west on a team that has been rebuilding since Chris Paul left, but it will be on the minds of the voters once the season comes to an end.
His Team Won’t make the playoffs
This is probably the main reason he won’t win MVP. Currently the Pelicans sit in the 11th spot in the West – 3 games behind the Phoenix Suns who are now 8th. Yes, it’s still early, but it’s going to be hard to get a spot in the West this year. To even be considered, Davis is going to have to carry the Pelicans to the playoffs and even then, when is the last time the NBA had a MVP that was on a team that was an 8th seed? Probably never. For Davis to seriously be considered, just getting in isn’t going to do it for him. He will need to finish in the top 5 of his conference which isn’t impossible (according to Kevin Garnett). but isn’t probable (according to me). Another guy in the same boat as Davis that he would have to pass is Demarcus Cousins. Cousins is also putting up really good numbers so far this year(6th in scoring, 1st in rebounding) and his team is a few spots ahead of the Pelicans in the West.
Steph Curry
The last reason he won’t win MVP is because of something…well someone out of his control, Steph Curry. Curry’s Warriors are 13-2, which is a 1/2 game behind the Grizzlies for the best record in the NBA. Curry is 5th in scoring, 6th in steals and 5th in assist all – while shooting 50% from the field and 42% from three. It would be hard to argue against Curry with those numbers and that record.
It’s going to be an uphill battle for Davis. He is still young so he will have plenty of opportunities to win the MVP. Unfortunately for him, this won’t be the year.
Makes sure to check out more of Nick’s writing at NBA Online Blog.
