Can AD win MVP?
Anthony Davis has sparked the Los Angeles Lakers recent success and put himself in the MVP conversation. Fans and analysts have scrutinized Davis over the past couple of seasons due to injuries.
NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley is known for nicknaming Davis “Street Clothes” because he was not available for an extended period in the last couple of seasons.
Davis has put those comments to rest this season, only missing two games to injury and one to the flu.
Anthony Davis is the first Laker with consecutive 40-point games since Kobe Bryant in March 2013 😳 pic.twitter.com/jpYsKOLEnY
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) December 5, 2022
The 29-year-old big man has cemented himself as a top player in the NBA. He is averaging 27/12/2, leading the Lakers on both ends of the floor. His recent stretch has been completely dominant, as Davis has put up historically great numbers. Davis leads the Lakers in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks, proving to the world that he is among the best in the world.
Anthony Davis in his last nine games 😤💪
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 5, 2022
37 PTS, 18 REB, 2 AST
38 PTS, 16 REB, 4 BLK
30 PTS, 18 REB, 3 STL
37 PTS, 21 REB, 5 BLK
25 PTS, 15 REB, 3 BLK
25 PTS, 13 REB, 4 BLK
27 PTS, 12 REB, 3 BLK
44 PTS, 10 REB, 3 BLK
55 PTS, 17 REB, 3 BLK
HE'S BACK. pic.twitter.com/2U0DUXA2zk
Los Angeles was 8-2 in their last ten games before Davis went out with the flu in the 1st quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading to two straight losses.
LeBron and AD are PROBABLE for tomorrow’s game in Philly 🙏
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) December 8, 2022
LA will look to get back on track against the Philadelphia 76ers, as Davis and LeBron James are probable. Davis will be matched up with one of the other top bigs in the NBA, Joel Embiid. Embiid is a dominant force, who is averaging 32/10/2.
The last time they faced each other, Davis outperformed Embiid, but Philadelphia came away with the win.
If Davis can outplay Embiid again, it could be highly beneficial for his MVP case. He already outplayed Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is considered the best player in the NBA.
Davis is putting up the numbers, but the Lakers will need to keep rolling if he is going to win MVP.
Historically, the MVP award goes to someone leading a playoff team with elite numbers. Davis has the numbers, but the Lakers sit in 13th place in the Western Conference. Climbing up into a top-six seed would do wonders for Davis’ MVP case.
Jayson Tatum is ranked No. 1 on this week’s NBA MVP ladder.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 2, 2022
👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/4z38mvDXPl
It won’t be easy for Davis to win the award as there are top candidates like Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If the Lakers can keep putting together wins behind Davis’ strong play, he has a good shot at taking home the MVP award.
In the 9 full seasons AD has been in the league he has averaged playing in only 3/4 of the games. He has played a max of 75 games twice. He cannot be considered for MVP unless he is on the court!