Apr 25, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots over Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
8. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Yes ladies and gentlemen, the next NBA great, if healthy, is a dark horse to win the NBA MVP. The reason why Anthony Davis isn’t a legitimate candidate (right now) to win the most coveted individual award is because of his team.
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The Pelicans most likely won’t be a top-three team in the difficult Western Conference, as they’ll be without Tyreke Evans, Omer Asik, Norris Cole and Alexis Ajinca for the start of their season, along with Jrue Holiday being on a minutes restriction.
Davis will have a bigger workload without the team’s core players until January (at least). Yes, he’ll have a season that gets him in the conversation, but realistically he won’t win the award unless the Pelicans are at least a top-three team in the West, which won’t be happening anytime soon until the Pelicans pair Davis with a star guard or wing player.
“The Brow” is a dark horse until the aforementioned happens, and until the team can win at least 55 games.
Next: No. 7