The 2022 MVP race has been extremely exciting so far. Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic have made the conversation interesting as each has built a strong case over the past few months.
While there is still much of the season left to go, Charles Barkley and the TNT crew have reached a consensus on the front runner so far: the star big man over in Philadephia.
“Joel Embiid is one, he’s got a slight lead over DeMar DeRozan. Embiid has been the best player in the NBA this season, DeMar DeRozan has been the second-best, and Giannis has been right there.”
"He's playing great. He's not the best player in the world!"@SHAQ, Chuck & @TheJetOnTNT got HEATED discussing who's leading this year's MVP race 👀 pic.twitter.com/xD9QRLw7QP
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 18, 2022
Embiid, 27, is in the middle of the best season of his career. Through 45 games so far, he’s averaging 29.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game on 49% shooting. He’s also got the Sixers at 5th in the East despite playing the whole season with Ben Simmons at home.
Right now Joel Embiid is my MVP,” said Antonio Daniels. “If you breakdown his last 4-5 games, he’s giving you 42 and about 13 rebounds. He has been special all year long. He’s putting up Wilt Chamberlain-type numbers.
If Joel Embiid can stay healthy, it’s likely he takes home his first MVP trophy this April. It might not be his last, either.
What’s most important to Embiid, however,r is what happens after April. With Simmon finally gone, and James Harden soon to join the team, the Sixers are in a position to win it all.
But with good competition everywhere, and no guarantee things will work, it’s impossible to say how the season ends. For now, 76ers fans can rest their hope in the 5x All-Star, and pray that he and Harden can figure things out quickly.
