With James Harden running away with the MVP, the question has been, is there really anyone who can challenge him? Different players pop up here and there. Most recently, there was talk about how if LeBron James could lead the revamped Cleveland Cavaliers back from the dead, he might be able to make a case. But now the Cavs have dropped two straight. So much for that.
Meanwhile, in New Orleans, Anthony Davis has arisen. It's not like he was dead before that. He is averaging 28.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.4 steals with a 61.7 true shooting percentage for the season. Those numbers aren't shabby.
Here's the complete list of players who averaged 25 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and a steal with a true shooting percentage above 60:
I anticipate someone saying something about “random group of stats” and so on. But before you do that, can you just stop and appreciate for a moment what kind of company that is?
Think about the names that aren't on that list. Hakeem Olajuwon for instance. Or Shaquille O'Neal.
No, this is not some of “GOAT” argument, but it demonstrates how rare the combination of offensive and defensive talent Anthony Davis has really is.
Now, what's insane isn't just how good he's been on the season, but how good he's been in strapping the team on his back and hoisting it back into playoff contention. The New Orleans Pelicans are on a six-game winning streak and Davis has been destroying the planet, averaging 41.5 points, 15 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 3.2 blocks, and 1.5 three-pointers on 39.1 percent shooting. His overall field-goal percentage is 54.2 percent.
No player has ever officially had that many points, rebounds and blocks over a six-game stretch, though, Wilt Chamberlain probably has unofficially. But when you have to harken back to the skinny-lanes Wilt era to get a comparison, it shows just how amazing Davis has been.
The Pelicans have outscored their opponents by 61 points with him in those games, and been outscored by two with him on the bench. So yeah, that seems pretty valuable.
It might not be enough to catch James Harden, but it's enough to actually have a confirmed No. 2 in the conversation.
1. James Harden: Even with all the praise Brow deserves, let's not ignore the other fellow favored with furiously fabulous facial follicles. The Beard is still having a historically great season in his own right, averaging an NBA best 31.4 points per game to go with 8.9 assists, 5.2rebounds and 1.8 steals. He's doing that while leading the NBA in made three-pointers. His true shooting percentage is up to 62.4.
That's the sixth-highest in NBA history for someone who scored 30 points. Of the 14 players with a true shooting percentage over 60 who averaged 30 points, only Michael Jordan also averaged over seven assists. And Harden's assists are worth more points, too, since 3.6 of them are for 3. His teammates are shooting effective field goal percentage of 64.4 of his passes. No one has ever produced as many points with that efficiency.
When you consider those two things combined, there is a very real argument that Harden is having the greatest offensive season in NBA history.
2. Anthony Davis: See Above
3. Stephen Curry: Every time we forget, we are reminded about the catalyst of the Golden State Warriors' offense is Stephen Curry. The most recent reminder came in the 44-point explosion as the Dubs dusted the Oklahoma City Thunder. While he might be the catalyst, he may not be the best player. And with the Rockets also boasting a better record, it's hard to imagine why anyone on the Warriors has a better argument than Harden.
4. LeBron James
James has great numbers: 26.6 points, 8.9 assists, and 8.3 rebounds, but the Rockets have a dozen more wins. Now, some people will talk about help; those same people would have lit themselves on fire in protest if I told them the Rockets were 12 games better than the Cavs (or even better at all) before the season started.
5. Kevin Durant: Same thing as Curry but the opposite. He's the best player but doesn't ignite the offense. He has a huge impact on the defense, and because of that two-way play, some will have him over Curry for the MVP. But again, having anyone on the Dubs over Harden is just hard to explain.
Honorable Mention: Giannis Antetokounmpo, DeMar DeRozan, Kyrie Irving and whoever you're mad that I left off the list.
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