Anthony Davis by the numbers: No, he’s not overrated
By Joshua Lea
Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans are seeing success without DeMarcus Cousins. Davis has been a monster during February even though some claim he’s overrated.
Anthony Davis has seen his fair share of struggles this season and season’s past with the Pelicans. He has willed this team to the playoffs before, and it looks as if he’s determined to do it again.
The injury to DeMarcus Cousins was indeed a huge blow to the playoff hopes of Pelican fans around the league. However, those hopes have new life.
The Pelicans have won their last five games. Of those five, three have been overtime wins. Anthony Davis has been instrumental in these wins scoring an average of 39.2 points during his last five games.
During the month of February, he’s averaging 34 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. To most NBA fans, those are notorious numbers. However, to Skip Bayless of Fox Sports One’s Undisputed, he calls Davis “overrated“.
This is a prime example of why professional athletes do not like the national media. Calling Davis overrated is irresponsible journalism. Now, Bayless is indeed entitled to his own opinion. However, we’ve all seen what the New Orleans Pelicans look like when Davis is hurt.
I think that’s how the MVP award should be given. What would the team look like without the MVP? New Orleans wouldn’t be close to the playoffs without Anthony Davis.
Anthony Davis’ numbers prove he’s not overrated
You simply cannot say that a player who is averaging 27.7 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game for the season is overrated. In fact, Davis is a key reason why the New Orleans Pelicans are in the playoff race. They are one seed higher than the Oklahoma City Thunder who have three stars. Sure, Jrue Holiday is a fantastic player, but he’s not an NBA superstar.
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Cousins and Davis are the Pelicans stars, and now that Cousins is hurt, Davis is carrying the load. That’s what an MVP does, that’s what LeBron has done for Cleveland. It’s what Kobe Bryant has done for the Los Angeles Lakers, they carry the load of their team.
Anthony Davis may never win an NBA MVP award. He might never finish in the top three for an MVP award. However, there is something to be said about a player of his caliber that doesn’t have three or four other All-Stars around him, leading his team to the playoffs.
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In New Orleans, Anthony Davis is an MVP. He’ll continue to be an MVP. Even though the national media doesn’t view him as such. The playoffs will once again be a spotlight for Davis as well as the rest of the Pelicans to shine on the rest of the NBA.