New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis is one of a handful of NBA players who are having MVP-caliber seasons. By playing the tremendous low-post defense we have grown accustomed to seeing from him and taking a significant leap offensively, Davis has the Pelicans just 2.5 games back of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
However, the 22-year-old told “The Dan Patrick Show” that he would not be voting for himself for MVP if he had a vote.
“It’s tough,” Davis said, per James Herbert of Eye on Basketball. “A lot of guys are playing out of their mind. James Harden, Russ [Westbrook], Steph [Curry], LeBron [James].”
Sticking with a modest approach, Davis said he would choose Harden.
“He’s out of his mind,” he said. “He’s definitely playing out of his mind. We talk about this on my team every day. It’s like every day. I think with him not having Dwight [Howard] for as much as he did, and he still competed and is still winning games for them, it’s unreal.”
Davis is averaging a double-double with 24.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. He is also leading the NBA with 2.9 blocked shots per game. Harden is averaging 27.2 points, 7.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds — all career highs.
As I have mentioned before, I would give the MVP to Russell Westbrook at the moment. Davis chose the Oklahoma City Thunder star when asked whose game he would rather have between Westbrook, Harden and Stephen Curry.
“His motor is unreal, and he’s shooting the ball a lot better from 3, midrange is unstoppable and he gets to the basket whenever he wants,” Davis said. “I think if you’ve got all three factors of the game, and his defense is unreal — high-energy — so I’ll definitely have to take the game of Westbrook, for sure.”
Westbrook has kept the Thunder in the playoff hunt with Kevin Durant on the shelf. Even Kevin Love thinks Westbrook deserves the MVP over one of Love’s own teammates. We wouldn’t recommend asking Westbrook if he should be named MVP, but he would be my pick if the season ended today.
As for Davis, you have to respect the modesty. He should be one of the best players in the NBA for years to come.
