New Orleans Pelicans superstar forward Anthony Davis is looking to accomplish a feat that hasn’t been done since the 1999-00 season by Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. The feat that he is trying to carry out is winning both the MVP and NBA’s scoring title as a big man.
As I mentioned, Shaquille O’Neal was the last big man to win both awards in the 1999-00 season as he averaged 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. He also shot 57.4 percent from the field, including 57.5 percent on two-point field goals.
If those numbers are the gold standard for Davis to win both awards, then he is already off to a ridiculous start to begin the 2016 season. Through six games, Davis is averaging 30.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in 38.0 …show more content…
This season, Davis has went to the line unprecedented 74 times, which is only second behind Sacramento Kings' center DeMarcus Cousins (76).
When O'Neal won the MVP and scoring title in 1999-00, he went to the line 824 times. Now, it would be far-fetched to think Davis will get to the line that many times as his highest amount of free throw attempts in a season is 461 (2014-15). But we also have to remember they are two different types of big men as O'Neal is more brute force and strength, while Davis is more athletic and finesse.
Nevertheless, it should be fun to see how Davis' season plays out. On Friday night, him and the Pelicans suffered another loss, this time to the hands of the Phoenix Suns 112-111 in the overtime. Despite the loss, Davis still put up a double-double consisting of 22 points and 11 rebounds.
With him being the only focal point on offense, he should be in contention for both awards this season but he does have some competition with Russell Westbrook and DeRozan putting up ridiculous numbers themselves.
This season, will be the year that "The Brow" re-establishes himself as the best big man in the
As I mentioned, Shaquille O’Neal was the last big man to win both awards in the 1999-00 season as he averaged 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. He also shot 57.4 percent from the field, including 57.5 percent on two-point field goals.
If those numbers are the gold standard for Davis to win both awards, then he is already off to a ridiculous start to begin the 2016 season. Through six games, Davis is averaging 30.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in 38.0 …show more content…
This season, Davis has went to the line unprecedented 74 times, which is only second behind Sacramento Kings' center DeMarcus Cousins (76).
When O'Neal won the MVP and scoring title in 1999-00, he went to the line 824 times. Now, it would be far-fetched to think Davis will get to the line that many times as his highest amount of free throw attempts in a season is 461 (2014-15). But we also have to remember they are two different types of big men as O'Neal is more brute force and strength, while Davis is more athletic and finesse.
Nevertheless, it should be fun to see how Davis' season plays out. On Friday night, him and the Pelicans suffered another loss, this time to the hands of the Phoenix Suns 112-111 in the overtime. Despite the loss, Davis still put up a double-double consisting of 22 points and 11 rebounds.
With him being the only focal point on offense, he should be in contention for both awards this season but he does have some competition with Russell Westbrook and DeRozan putting up ridiculous numbers themselves.
This season, will be the year that "The Brow" re-establishes himself as the best big man in the