Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid will most likely finish in first and second place this season in the race to be the Most Valuable Player. Last season’s MVP Jokic won the trophy after many contenders like Embiid went out due to injury throughout the year. But this year’s race is heated ahead of the upcoming clash between Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers and Jokic’s Denver Nuggets on Monday.
We have seen a different Jokic this year. While his numbers are just as historic, he is playing with an additional chip on his shoulder and has shown aggression throughout the season.
Both Jokic and Embiid have carried their teams through roster uncertainty to solid records, and the reigning MVP was very complimentary of Embiid ahead of their matchup on Monday.
Nikola Jokic on Joel Embiid: "… He's a great player, great. Like, foreal, great, great player. He can do everything on the floor, who is controlling the game, who is in conversation for MVP and the best player in the league. He's so dominant. … I like to play with the best."
— Mike Singer (@msinger) March 13, 2022
“… He’s a great player, great. Like, foreal, great, great player. He can do everything on the floor, who is controlling the game, who is in conversation for MVP and the best player in the league. He’s so dominant. … I like to play with the best.”
This year’s MVP race has been one of the most competitive ones in recent memory. While the field looks to be thinning down to Jokic and Embiid, there are still many other contenders. Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum have made late pushes by leading their teams to some of the best records in 2022.
In addition, reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo looks to be the only one that can break into the Embiid and Jokic duopoly in the rankings. Outside them, there are other candidates like DeMar DeRozan and Ja Morant having sensational seasons.
Jokic and Embiid’s matchup will be an MVP showdown for many, but the teams at each player’s disposal are quite different. Jokic is still missing co-stars Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray while Embiid was recently paired up with former MVP James Harden.
https://twitter.com/realStanVG/status/1502064579358175233
Philadelphia is coming off a bad loss to the Brooklyn Nets while Denver lost to the Golden State Warriors on the same night. Both teams need a win and this is going to be a marquee matchup on Monday night.
