If you were to take a quick look at Anthony Davis' averages this season, almost anyone would be able to make a solid case as to why the Brow is in with a realistic chance to be named MVP.
Davis is averaging 28.2 points, 11 rebounds and shoots over 53% per game. Certainly numbers worthy of an MVP. However, it's not just the numbers; Davis has the story to match.
In January, the Pelicans suffered a big blow as DeMarcus Cousins ruptured his Achilles tendon and had to undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season. Cousins, who at the time was averaging 25.2 points and 13 rebounds was New Orleans' ticket to the post-season. Stories quickly emerged after Boogie went down rendering the Pelicans' playoff hopes obsolete.
However, Davis stayed determined to carry his squad to its first post-season appearance since 2015. Since Cousins went down, Davis has averagedย 33.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.6 blocks per game. That's not from a small sample size, that's over a whole month of basketball.
Again, not only are the numbers impressive, but the Pelicans are winning. After losing five of their first six games adjusting to play without Cousins, Davis has now led his team to eight straight wins. A team that was written out of the playoffs is now only half a game away from third.
Unfortunately for Davis' MVP hopes there's a man in the NBA who's been gunning for the award since 2015 and his name is James Harden.
Harden has been one of the NBA elites for a while, and he's been runner-up MVP twice in the last three years, and this year, it seems to be his to lose.
The man with the NBA's best beard has been at it from the outset, averaging 31.4 points and just under nine assists a game with a PER of 30.5. He has the Rockets looking like genuine championship contenders, and yes the Warriors are still in the league. The Rockets have the league's best win loss record at 49-13 and are currently on a 15-game win streak. If that's not enough, Harden is providing fans with highlights daily and embarrassing opposing players as he goes.
https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/969061722005884928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fnba%2F2018%2F02%2F28%2Fjames-harden-step-back-drops-wesley-johnson
Therefore, unless some unforeseeable event takes place between now and the end of the season, the MVP trophy is already in Harden's cabinet. Although Davis has played like an MVP for the sake of his team, and has done so in a year where Harden came in unwilling to let go of the title of the NBA's Most Valuable Player.
