Anthony Davis, 2013-14 All-Star?

Popular opinion believes Anthony Davis is a darkhorse to make this year's All-Star game. With Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard as likely starters, many feel that LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan, Kevin Love and Dirk Nowitzki are ahead of him on the totem pole that is the Western Conference list of big men. Some even think that DeMarcus Cousins should go before Davis too.

That is a pretty impressive list, but have each of them put up the numbers this season where their statistics put them in some rather elite company?

Since the 2000-01 season, the following list depicts all the players who have averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks per game.

All of them, all 18 entries, made the All-Star game in their respected years. And look who is 19th.

But, thanks to all the awesomeness that is Davis, we can take this a step further. By accounting for Davis 75.5 FT%, the above list dwindles down to 4 other names. Or, by calculating Davis' 1.5 steals a game, the list drops to 2. And, if we combine the points, rebounds, blocks, steals and free throw percentage, only Garnett manages to stand alongside Anthony Davis.

Now, the only possible barrier to Davis' All-Star bid will be the notion that players from teams towards the bottom of the standings deserve less consideration. That perhaps these players are filling up box scores because they are surrounded by inadequate talent. Several years ago, a lot of voters obviously viewed Kevin Love in this light as he was unjustly snubbed. Thankfully, David Stern added him to the 2011 game to replace an injured Yao Ming, but it shouldn't have come down to that.

It's extremely troubling that team records have anything to do with an individual award. Dictionary.com makes no mention of such criteria in their All-Star definition:

consisting of athletes chosen as the best at their positions from all teams in a league or region

Second, when the playoff-contending Pelicans had their #FullSquadron on the court, Anthony Davis still beasted to a tune of 18.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.0 steals.

Everyone can agree that Anthony Davis is having a stellar year. Hopefully, all those with a say in the matter will remember how stellar. Since the 2000 season, only one other player has put up the kind of numbers fans are witnessing from Davis in 2013-14. In a year where the All-Star game takes place in New Orleans, no way in the world should one of the greatest statistical seasons get ignored.

For an individual achievement honor.

In his hometown.

Right?!?!