In just their sixth loss of the season, the Minnesota Timberwolves met defeat at the hands of the reigning NBA MVP, Joel Embiid. By the final buzzer, Embiid was up to 51 points and 12 rebounds in 36 minutes of play. After the game, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards tipped his cap to Embiid and recognized his place as one of the best in the league.
“I’ve never seen nothing like it,” said Edwards. “He’s unstoppable man, I don’t see how they lose a game. I love the game of basketball and love watching him play. Besides all the fouls, I don’t like him getting all that but, he comes, handles his business and gets the f*ck on…he’s good, I love to see him play. He’s special.”
Anthony Edwards on Joel Embiid:
"I love the game of basketball and love watching him play. Besides all the fouls, i don't like him getting all that but, he comes, handles his business and gets the f*ck on…He's special " pic.twitter.com/oecwibxxwD
— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BASKETBALLonX) December 21, 2023
Edwards is in the middle of a breakout season in Minnesota, and the red-hot Timberwolves are making a lot of noise in the West this season. But even at the top of the standings, Edwards can appreciate greatness when he sees it and he sees something special with Joel Embiid this season.
Joel Embiid Is The Early MVP
After narrowly beating Nikola Jokic to secure MVP honors last season, Joel Embiid cemented himself as one of the top three players in the world and he’s continued that pace through 24 games this season. Averaging a career-high 35.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game on 54.1% shooting, Embiid is having the best stretch of his career right now and the 76ers have been rolling with one of the best records in the league so far.
The issue for Joel is, and always has been, durability. To date, the 76ers big man has never played in 70 or more games in a season and his long injury history has brought an end to several playoff runs already. This season, Embiid is on track for his healthiest season ever but Philly fans are constantly stressed about the next potential injury. For now, until Embiid goes down or starts to fall off, his place among the best players in the world is inarguable and the 76ers have to be taken seriously as a championship threat in the East.
76ers Are On Fire
After losing out on Ben Simmons in 2022 and James Harden this past summer, there was still some uncertainty about the 76ers’ roster. But despite the doubts from critics, the 76ers have stormed out of the gate this season and look like one of the best teams in the league at 19-8 through 27 games.
Embiid has obviously been the bus driver of this team, but their success is also tied to the breakout play of Tyrese Maxey. This season, with career highs in points (26.1), assists (6.7), and rebounds (3.8), Maxey has emerged as an All-Star for the Sixers and he’s lit a fire under Embiid. Meanwhile, role-players like Tobias Harris, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Nic Batum are giving Philly some great minutes this season. By all accounts, the 76ers are legit and Joel Embiid’s leadership has taken them to new heights after hitting rock bottom this past summer.
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