Anthony Davis gives nod to James Harden for NBA MVP

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis says that he would pick Houston Rockets guard James Harden as the NBA's Most Valuable Player this season. Davis made

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis says that he would pick Houston Rockets guard James Harden as the NBA's Most Valuable Player this season. 

Davis made the comments in an interview with The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday. After mentioning Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, Davis settled on Harden. 

* Editor's Note: Davis starts discussing the NBA MVP race at 4:30

[youtube:https://youtu.be/ppFGRw7ow7M]

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"You know, it's tough," Davis said. "There's a lot of guys playing out of their minds. James Harden, Russ, Steph, you know, LeBron. But ... [pause] I mean, James Harden. It'd probably have to be James. He's out of his mind. He's definitely playing out of his mind. We talk about this with my team every day."

[daily_cut.NBA] Harden is averaging 27.2 points, 7.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Rockets, who are third in the Western Conference with a 50-24 record. 

Davis has also been mentioned as a possible MVP candidate, though he is not widely expected to win the title this season. Davis is averaging 24.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. 

The Pelicans are 39-34, 2.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. New Orleans plays at the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. 

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- Stanley Kay