EDITOR’S NOTE: All stats and information are accurate at time of print on April 13th.
The NBA Most Valuable Player award is heavily scrutinized because there is no clear definition of what constitutes “most valuable.” Voters typically give the award to the best player in the league (LeBron James) or players with the most impressive stat line for the season (Derrick Rose or Kevin Durant).
Luckily for Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, he accounts for both of those this year.
Admittedly, I am the most biased man alive when it comes to Davis and the Pelicans. But ESPN slated him as the third-best player in the league in this season’s preseason player rankings, so it’s not a stretch to say he is the best now.
Davis has transformed the Pelicans into a playoff contender despite a roster full of misfits. Without Davis, the Pelicans are the Charlotte Hornets — a team without a true superstar and not enough talent to make the playoffs even in the Eastern Conference.
Jrue Holiday is damaged goods with a bum leg, while Tyreke Evans doesn’t have a position and shoots a horrific 29.9 percent from behind the arc as of Monday. Best of all, Eric Gordon and Omer Asik are among the most overpaid players in the league.
The Pelicans’ record proves Davis is the difference. They are 37-29 in games he played this season as opposed to 6-8 when he sat out, including embarrassing losses to the lowly Knicks and the tanking 76ers.
Davis is averaging a career-best in every statistic, headlined by 24.3 points per game with a 53.7 shooting percentage. Davis scores on par with fellow MVP candidates Rockets guard James Harden, Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook despite getting fewer touches than all three players.
Davis’ seasonal numbers culminate in a 30.86 player efficiency rating, the best in the league by more than two points. Grizzlies Vice President of Basketball Operations and former ESPN analyst John Hollinger — the mastermind behind the PER — said a player with a rating of 30 or better is the “runaway MVP candidate.” James is the only player to complete the feat since the 2008-2009 season, and he won the MVP all four times.
The idea that Davis is less exciting than other candidates is also a misconception. From hitting a double-clutch, game-winning three pointer at the buzzer to recording a near quadruple double, Davis has continued to “wow” fans and one-up fellow candidates.
Davis entered this season with improved jump shot mechanics and over time, developed one of the most respected mid-range jump shots in the league. He often draws extra defenders when he catches the ball in mid range, and his teammates benefit from the open looks. Davis’ assists per game are improved from last year, and Gordon and swingman Quincy Pondexter are shooting career-best marks in the 3-point territory.
But perhaps Davis’ most impressive feat is not trading defensive prowess for his offensive efficiency. Davis has become one of the premier defenders and the best two-way player in the NBA. His 2.9 blocks per game clip are the best in the league, and he is 10th with 10.2 rebounds per game.
Davis can do it all, something his fellow MVP candidates can’t say. Harden is still below average on defense and leads the league in turnovers, while Curry actively avoids the opponent’s best guard on defense. Meanwhile, Westbrook leads the league in missed shots despite playing in only 66 games.
Although Davis’ body of work has separated itself from the pack, it will be forgotten if the Pelicans finish outside of the playoffs. But if Davis propels the Pelicans past the Spurs on Wednesday and into the playoffs, voters would be remiss to leave him off their ballots.
Jacob Hamilton is a 20-year-old political science junior from Slidell, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @jhamilton_TDR.