The NBA season isn’t even a month old, but already the association’s television partners are putting some flex scheduling into action.  ESPN announced that the network was swapping out a scheduled Knicks-Spurs game scheduled for December 10th and replacing it with Pelicans-Mavericks.

In years past, flexing into Pelicans games would be inconceivable (partly because Pelicans highlights were limited to Scarface), but don’t be surprised if this becomes a pattern this year.  New Orleans is only scheduled for just one other game on ESPN and TNT this year – a February 27th matchup against Miami on ESPN.  They have a further 7 games slated for NBATV.  But there’s one reason and one reason only why this ESPN flex is happening so soon.

Anthony Davis.

Ok, there’s another reason.  The Knicks are putrid.  At 3-10, the only thing keeping them out of the Eastern Conference cellar is the zombie corpse of the Philadelphia 76ers.  But let’s focus on the positives here!

Before the season, the Brow was being talked about as a darkhorse MVP candidate.  Forget that.  He’s the frontrunner through the first month of the season.  In fact, he’s on the verge of producing one of the most uniquely transcendent seasons we’ve ever seen.  Davis’ statline is inhuman:

25.5 PPG (3rd in NBA), 11.4 RPG (5th in NBA), 57.9 FG% (9th in NBA), 2.30 STLS (T-1 in NBA), 3.9 BLKS (1st in NBA)

I would try to compare Davis’ stats to something or someone that has come before, but it’s impossible.  Do you know how many seasons there have been with those numbers?  None.  It’s only been 10 games, so perhaps we should pump the brakes just a skosh.  But right now Davis’ season projects like nothing we’ve seen before in the history of the NBA.

The Pelicans are 6-4 in a Western Conference that is stacked once again.  If they can stay in touch with the last playoff spots out west, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be featured much more prominently on national television as the season progresses.  Beyond Davis, this is a team that scores plenty of points and plays a decent brand of basketball.  With Davis blossoming before our eyes into the game’s next great superstar, they are a must-see attraction.

With the Knicks scheduled for 13 more national television appearances between ABC/ESPN and TNT and the equally dreadful Lakers scheduled for an ungodly 16 more, let’s hope the NBA and their television partners come to their senses and enact more flex scheduling throughout the season.

Yes, those two franchises in Los Angeles and New York will always equal ratings with their huge followings.  But surely there has to be some way to avoid that dubious amount of Lakers and Knicks games because the only reason worth watching them from a national perspective is pointing and laughing at the misfortune of others.  Especially when there’s such a great story in New Orleans happening before us, the NBA should be doing everything in their power to get Anthony Davis on your screen as often as they can.  (And the Grizzlies, Raptors, Blazers, etc.)  ESPN choosing to switch to Pelicans-Mavericks on December 10th is a great start.

Let’s hope that as Davis keeps this going, ESPN and TNT will be willing to follow along.  I know I’d hate to miss out on one of the great seasons in NBA history and witnessing The Next Big Thing arrive because we just had to see another 10-28 shooting night from Kobe.