Lakers' Anthony Davis: LeBron James Deserves 2019-20 NBA MVP Award over Giannis

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is a near lock to win his second straight NBA MVP award, but the field of contenders is loaded with talent, including four-time MVP and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.

James' Lakers teammate, seven-time All-Star Anthony Davis, was asked Thursday why he felt the 17-year veteran should win the MVP over Antetokounmpo and others. He issued this response (h/t Mark Medina of USA Today):

"Basically he can do everything on the floor. He can shoot the ball, he can pass, he gets everyone involved. He can take over games," Davis said.

"You guys see when LeBron's off the floor how our team operates. We kind of struggle a little bit with him off the floor. I think that this is about who is most valuable to their team. And for me, being around him this whole season, my vote goes to LeBron," he added.

James is averaging 25.4 points and a league-high 10.7 assists per game for the 47-13 Lakers, who sit 5.5 games ahead of the L.A. Clippers for first in the Western Conference.

He's a problem on both ends of the court. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Lakers average 3.2 more points and and allow 8.2 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the floor for a total difference of 11.4 points.

In that respect, one could argue James is slightly more valuable to his team than Antetokounmpo, whose Bucks score 3.7 more points and give up 7.6 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court for a total of 11.3 points, per Basketball-Reference.

However, Antetokounmpo is averaging a career-high 29.6 points, 13.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists in just 30.8 minutes per game. Moreover, Antetokounmpo is doing this for a 53-9 Bucks team that sports the league's best record and point differential (12.4).

That point difference is notably better than the 10.8-point differential of the 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors, who finished with an all-time best win-loss record of 73-9.

Therefore, if you're in the camp of picking the best player on the best team, then Antetokounmpo should be the choice once again.

And that's what it appears to be, based on the latest Caesars Palace odds.

Betting on Antetokounmpo isn't even worth the risk given his massive -3000 favorite odds ($3,000 bet to win $100). A wager on James is mildly interesting at 10-1.

He's second on the ledger ahead of Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic and Houston Rockets guard James Harden, both at 20-1.