1. Anthony Davis Wins 2019-20 NBA MVP (Runner Ups are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard)
Now, this might not sound too bold when you first see it because Davis has been a serious candidate before (finished third in 2018) and he is on the best team he has ever been on before. However, there are some things to consider.
AD has yet to play a full season in the NBA. Since he was drafted, the most games he has ever played in a season is 75, which is still very good but it gives you a concern. Can he last the whole season without getting injured? And even if he can, with his injury history and age (still very young for his skill level), will the Lakers want to ensure he is set up for a deep playoff run and manage his load (I still hate that term) this season?
In the 16 seasons LeBron James has played in this league, he has never had a teammate finish in the top five of MVP Voting when playing on the same team. The closest to do it was in 2010 when Dwyane Wade finished seventh.
Now that could be attributed to a number of different variables such as Lebron does so much on his own that no one else has the opportunity to become an MVP, the teammate was ahead of their prime (Kyrie Irving) or past it (Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kevin Love), or that simple fact that LeBron has been the best player on the court for every game for as long as we can remember so it’s hard to try and win an MVP when you’re not even the best player on your team.
However, this year is different. LeBron might not be the best player on the Lakers. Or he still is, but he will be saving energy and strength for the postseason so he will defer a lot of the scoring load to his superstar forward, AD. So while this point helps explain the boldness of this prediction, it also validates how Anthony Davis can win MVP this season. Who doesn’t love a good two-for-one special?
With the injury to DeMarcus Cousins, more of the scoring load will be put on Davis as he will now be the lone scoring big man on the court. Before the Boogie injury, Davis would have been able to escape some of the defensive pressure through big-to-big pick and rolls with Boogie like we saw them do in New Orleans.
The paint would have been less congested for Davis to work off the dribble, post up, and roll off screens since Boogie could stretch the floor with his shooting ability. Unfortunately we will not get those same perks with JaVale McGee or Dwight Howard.
All in all, the road to MVP is never an easy one no matter who you are or what team you’re on. Ask 2006 Kobe Bryant. However, Anthony Davis is one of the few players who is in the top five in the NBA both offensively and defensively and is on a legitimate championship contender. Oh, and he’s 26 years old.