Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been near the top of the NBA MVP rankings for the entire season. He has been in a race with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic virtually all season, as both are putting up otherworldly statistics that deserve some recognition.
Jokic won the MVP award last season and is putting up even better numbers this season. Embiid finished second and the biggest knock against him was likely the number of games that he played for the Philadelphia 76ers, as he appeared in only 51 compared to all 72 for Jokic.
This season, Embiid has been much healthier. Outside of a stint in the league’s health and safety protocols, Embiid hasn’t missed consecutive games at any other point this season. He has set a new career-high in games played with 65 and that number could reach as high as 69.
Joel Embiid has been truly dominant on both ends of the court this season. He is averaging 30.2 points per game, which is second to LeBron James, who is averaging 30.3, and just ahead of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 30.1.
LATEST NBA NEWS: NBA Executive Makes Joel Embiid’s Case To Win 2022 MVP
His 11.6 rebounds per game are tied for fifth in the league with Antetokounmpo and he is also handing out a career-high 4.2 assists per game. His 1.1 steals per game are a career-high and he is also blocking 1.5 shots per game.
Recently, Joel Embiid got very honest about the MVP race. If it happens, he said it would be great. If he doesn’t get the award, he truly isn’t sure what else he could do and feels as if the voters just don’t like him at that point.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been near the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference most of the season as well, so Joel Embiid is checking off all of the boxes that it usually takes to win the MVP award. He is certainly deserving, but there is also a strong case to be made for Jokic as well.
LATEST NBA NEWS: NBA Executive Makes Joel Embiid’s Case To Win 2022 MVP
The MVP race will be the most hotly contested award of this season. Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic will also be receiving consideration for their performances this season. Ja Morant may receive a few votes, but his team’s success with him sidelined is likely going to hamper his case, as the Most Improved Player of the Year award is the award most likely for him to win.
