If you were to list current NBA players who are loyal, you would have Russell Westbrook at No.1, Dirk Nowitzki at No. 2 and most likely Anthony Davis at No. 3.
Ever since Davis's trusty partner-in-crime, DeMarcus Cousins, suffered a season-ending injury, The Brow has made it a priority of his to keep his team going strong. As a result, he's been named Player of the Month for February. Over the month of February, he has recorded, in reverse chronological order:
- 53 points, 17 rebounds, 5 blocks
- 45 points, 17 rebounds, 5 blocks
- 44 points, 17 rebounds
- 43 points, 10 rebounds
- 42 points, 15 rebounds
- 38 points, 10 rebounds
- 38 points, 9 rebounds
Davis has remained in New Orleans ever since 2012 when he was drafted by the then-New Orleans Hornets. His first year he averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1 assist, but only got better from there.
He's currently averaging 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He continues to be a dominant force both offensively and defensively.
Andrew Sharp and Ben Golliver from Sports Illustrated debated on Davis's case for this year's MVP:
Sharp: On the basketball internet today, everybody is now paying respect to Anthony Davis. But to me, over the last five games he has been absurd. Like Friday night, he had 45 and 17 with 5 blocks and 5 steals.
It's just outta control what he has been doing since Boogie went down and basically he is breathing life into the Pelicans season. But watching him against Giannis was really eye-opening man. Because a lot of their offense has been coming from Jrue Holiday, who also has been excellent over the last week or so—but he was just head-to-head, mano-y-mano with Giannis and Anthony Davis was the better player.
. . .
Golliver: Similar record to the Bucks, playing in a tougher conference, probably facing more adversity losing Cousins and having less help. The numbers are out of control and the consistency factor here since Cousins went down has been really impressive. To do that crazy 40-15 line you mentioned earlier like once or twice is one thing but Davis is putting up tons of 40-point games, he's playing 40-plus minutes consistently, you kind of worry about that for his long-term perspective and how much they are relying upon on him. But he's in that category where you have to give him some MVP love because of the sheer effort that is involved.
Now, of course, what James Harden is doing with the Houston Rockets is absolutely insane--not to mention them topping the Warriors for the best record in the league--but let's not discredit AD for what he's been doing as well.
