New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis
Just above the lowly Lakers, it’s the Pelicans who reside around the depths of the Western Conference. One way they differ to L.A., though, is that their debate for team MVP is an easy one. With Anthony Davis as one of the top few players in the game, there’s no debate to even be had.
He’s such a dominant player at both ends of the floor, there’s little point trying to explain how he’s better than the rest of the Pelicans when he’s better than almost everyone else in the entire league.
Davis has always been a ferocious rim protector and he’s at it again this season with 2.7 blocks per game while allowing opponents a measly 43.8 shooting percentage against him. He’s consistently expanded his range on offense too, and is now shooting 48.7 percent from 16 feet out and has added a three point element to his game with a total of 12 makes from deep for the season (he has three total over the last three seasons). There’s so much to mention when it comes to what he can do, and it’s no surprise he’s among the league leaders in numerous areas.
Davis aside, nothing has been clicking for the Pelicans under new head coach Alvin Gentry yet. From their 18th-ranked offense to their dismal 30th-ranked defense, nothing has been pretty. The latter is particularly worrying as they have Davis to anchor the paint, but he can’t do it all and their rotations just haven’t looked right at all.
Maybe after they defeated the Cavaliers 108-114 in overtime on Dec. 5, they can find something in themselves to improve.
Next: Sacramento Kings