The MVP has been a two-horse race over the past few seasons between Kevin Durant and LeBron James. No one can argue with that - they're the two best players in the league.
But with the faster-than-expected rise of Pelican forward Anthony Davis to NBA superstardom, some people think he can compete with James and Durant this year in the MVP race. How can he do so?
Pelicans make the playoffs
That's obvious - you can't be the most valuable player in the league if you can't even carry your team to the postseason. In New Orleans' case, making the playoffs would be a huge transformation, something Anthony Davis would have to be the cause of. What would make it even more remarkable would be doing it in the loaded Western Conference.
Lead the NBA in blocks, be top-5 in scoring and rebounding
If the Pelicans make the playoffs, there would already be a huge contingency backing Davis for MVP. However, he has to have the stats to back it up. Davis is currently the most feared shot-blocker in the league, so making his mark on that end of the court won't be an issue - and his numbers should go up Omer Asik coming over from Houston. Having great scoring and rebounding seasons seem to be the generic qualifiers for big men in the MVP conversation, but defense is where Davis can separate himself.
Durant and James lose some spotlight to teammates
This just in: Russell Westbrook is really good at basketball. Durant won the MVP last year when Westbrook missed most of the season due to injury. The Thunder obviously need their point guard to be the team they want to be, but Westbrook will take some numbers away from Durant.
The same goes for LeBron with both Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, although he might have growing pains playing for a new team that might limit MVP campaign.
Davis seems primed to have a spectacular season for New Orleans, but he won't win the MVP this year unless these three things happen.
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