Our house is an NBA house, and the NBA talk/argument/debate is always on. There is nothing we love more than seeing a ‘filthy’ stat line; someone that has absolutely dominated a game.
There have been a few of those lately, but the standout is New Orleans Pelican forward Anthony Davis.
Davis’ latest dominance included a haul of 53 points, 5 blocks, 3 assists and 18 rebounds in a win over the Phoenix Suns; he is the only player in the past ten seasons to make 50 points in a game without hitting a three-pointer. He’s actually done it twice.
In the Pelican’s recent six-game winning streak, Davis has averaged 41.5 points, 15 rebounds and is shooting at 54.2%.
As the second half of the NBA season continues, our household debate turns to MVP. The usuals are always at the top of the list. And while I don’t think Davis will win it hands down, he certainly should at least be in the discussion.
For the record I’m taking Harden, the rest of the house Durant.
We debated for a solid 40 minutes: LeBron, Curry, Durant, Giannis, Westbrook, Irving and much to one person’s surprise, Joe Ingles.
Insert cricket noises here.
On a later recap of our debate, we had realised we didn’t even mention Anthony Davis. While we aren’t experts by any stretch of the imagination, we were surprised how Davis wasn’t even a factor in our conversation.
I’m not saying that’s going to be the same for every MVP debate – but I pondered why?
Is it because the Pelicans aren’t a powerhouse team? Because they don’t’ win games consistently? Is he just not popular? Do you have to play for one of the big franchises for consideration?
Davis is a little injury prone which may have hindered his chances in the past, but his dominance and performance has him up there with the NBA’s best.
Some of the pressure was taken off him when the Pelicans acquired DeMarcus Cousins, but he has since gone down with an injury, putting the onus of the Pelicans success back on their big man.
MVP is decided by sports reporters and broadcasters throughout the US and Canada and is determined by a points system. I look forward to the announcement later in the year, and I hope and wonder, will Anthony Davis be in contention?
Now back to our number one NBA discussion.
Will our teams, the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies ever win a championship?
Insert cricket noises again.
My MVP pick
MVP: James Harden – Houston Rockets
Honourable mentions
Anthony Davis – New Orleans Pelicans
LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
The dark horse
Kyrie Irving – Boston Celtics
Bilbo
Guest
Astro, did you just highlight a comparison of AD and Olajuwon? Are you kidding? Two rings, superstar, MVP, at a time when he was going head to head to players like Ewing, David Robinson, Shaq Averages these days don't mean as much when quite a few games finish 130-123, scoring 30 in that game isn't as impressive as scoring 25 in a 85-80 win over the hard nosed Knicks Apples and oranges
Machooka
Roar Guru
Entertaining read Heather... many thanks. I like it when AD plays angry... like the brow with a frown thingy going on ;) As to your last question re Kings and Grizzlies... not a chance girl :)
astro
Guest
AD is just 'solid'? As an old-school guy, you might like (or might not like) to read this from SB Nation: "Comparing apples to apples (by possessions, not per game or minute) Davis is actually outperforming peak [Hakeem] Olajuwon. From 1992-1994, Olajuwon averaged 33.6 points and 15.7 rebounds per 100 possessions while posting a 26.3 PER with a 57.1% TS%. Anthony Davis this season is averaging 36.4 points and 14.3 rebounds per 100 possessions with a 28.5 PER and a 61.9% TS%" Also, AD is just 24yrs old and during the above seasons, Hakeem was 29-31yrs old.
astro
Guest
Great article, Heather! Thanks for posting...The Roar needs more female NBA authors! Agree with you on AD. He has to be in the MVP conversation. But the most important thing you mention in your article, is being a Grizz and Kings fan...talk about two of the hardest teams in the league to follow!
Heather Williams
Roar Pro
I find the Kings are impossible to watch! Exactly as you described. Taking pot shots, and no defence!
Heather Williams
Roar Pro
Giannis reminds of me of Harden last year.. The star of the team that just tries to do too much.. I feel Harden has been relieved of some of that pressure with the intro of Chris Paul and it has made his game even better and more rounded.. I'd like to Giannis get some help which will help evolve his potential even more!
astro
Guest
Karl Malone would hate this league...the role of PF as it once was, has basically gone. Malone would be shooting threes or trying to play the 5 despite not being a shot-blocker. He'd be chasing guys who are faster than him all over the court. He'd hate it!
LukeFrank
Guest
Hi Heather, congrats on the piece. I totally agree with your sentiments. Having only recently returned from the US, where I was able to get to the Pelicans v Lakers game on Valentine's Day, I'm equally intrigued by Davis. Ok, obviously the Lakers aren't a Playoff calibre team and I have a sample size of 1 when it comes to seeing him play in person, but watching Davis first-hand in that game was interesting on a number of levels. Apart from the guy being a giant among giants, he just doesn't seem to have the physical or gravitational presence of a Lebron / Durant / Harden etc. and maybe that works against him in terms of being 'noticed' for the MVP arguments. Despite him scoring consistently throughout the game vs the Lakers, it was almost a shock towards the end of the game to notice he'd hit 40 points (finished the game with 42 despite spending time off the court with an injury in the first quarter). A guy that's 6'10" isn't supposed to move like a guy who's 6'2" and strangely it seems to allow Davis to almost blend in among the other players on court despite the fact he's dominating the game. Despite the ability to do pretty much anything, he beats guys with old-fashioned basketball ability, rather than the ball-handling fanciness of someone like Curry / Irving etc. Davis is obviously the heart of the team and I love what the Pelicans are doing (or at least trying to do) with the 'Twin Towers' structure (prior to Cousins' injury). While Cousins' absence has undoubtedly padded out Davis' stats, you can't begrudge a guy for scoring more points due to the fact he has fewer helpers - Lebron became a great by essentially doing the same thing for years at the Cavs. They should make the Playoffs, but without Cousins it's difficult to see them progressing far and I think that also works against Davis. Maybe if they can push higher in the Division next year he might get the recognition he deserves(?) I'd love to see Davis named a bolter MVP, just to show the league still has a beating heart and to give due regards to a guy who could go anywhere, but genuinely seems determined to stay, fight it out and build something in a small market team. However, I'm not naive enough to think it will actually happen. Instead, I'm with you - my money is on Harden and to be honest at this stage I cant come up with a viable argument as to why Harden shouldn't win.
Bilbo
Guest
I've been a big Suns fan since the early 90s I find the current Suns impossible to watch. It is usually the 5 of them standing around the 3 line taking pot shots I think Davis is a good player, the kind that back in the 90s might have average 20 and 10 a game, solid, not great But with zero defence being played by teams like the Suns he can get 53 in a game Wonder what Karl Malone would have averaged in this league
Ben Scotti
Guest
I'm a huge Bucks fan but I just can't see Giannis being a realistic chance, sometimes is forced to exhaust himself defensively because the rest of the team doesn't help. Shows great character but does hinder his numbers. Would love to see Davis win