Joel Embiid is playing at the highest level this NBA season. The Philadelphia 76ers superstar has improved his level every year, being an MVP candidate in the past two terms.
He’s a serious candidate this season and everybody is in awe of his recent run. With Ben Simmons out of the team, the big man has carried the squad to the top 3 of the Eastern Conference, earning praise thanks to his displays.
One of the latest names to laud the Cameroonian center is Carmelo Anthony, who compared him to one of the greatest centers in NBA history. Per Justin Grasso of Sports Illustrated, Melo sees some similarities between Embiid and Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon.
“His footwork is incredible, you know? Olajuwon-esque,” said Carmelo Anthony. “His post game is special. He’s seven-two, he’s big, he is hard to guard. I’ll just keep it a hundred with you; He is a very tough guy to check out there on the court. I love the fact that he is playing at his own pace right now. He’s found his pace to play at, and he’s taking the game a lot more serious now, as you can see — as we all can see. That’s why he is able to dominate the way that he is able to do now, and he’s playing at an all-time high right now.”
Anthony Davis also saluted the Sixers superstar, saying it’s always great going against another premier big man in the league.
“It’s always fun playing against another great big,” said Lakers star Anthony Davis. “He’s been on a tear. Averaging 43, or something like that. Putting the team on his back. We knew it was going to be a tough matchup coming the way he’s been scoring the basketball. And it was fun. Fun to battle on both ends. Me guarding him, him guarding me. Any time I get the chance to play against someone like that, I always try to have fun with those matchups. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get the win.”
Embiid is leaving his everything on the court. He faced the Lakers earlier this week and the Sixers dismantled the Californians. Even though he believed he had a bad game, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s been balling this campaign.
Right now, he’s one of the top candidates to win the 2022 MVP award, and if he keeps this pace, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Chris Paul and co. will have a hard time trying to steal that prize from Embiid’s hands.
In 38 games this season, Joel averages 29.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists, shooting 49.9% from the field and 36.6% from deep. If the Sixers finish the season as strong as they are right now, this man will get a lot of votes for the coveted award.
