Nikola Jokic’s MVP chatter aside, two other players have been doing the rounds as bonafide MVP contenders —Joel Embiid and his teammate James Harden.
Per Basketball Reference, Embiid and Harden occupy the No. 2 and No. 4 positions in the site’s MVP ladder. Nikola Jokic takes the top spot, while Giannis Antetokounmpo takes third. Luka Doncic at No. 5 completes the top five.
Both the Sixers stars have been crucial in the side’s scintillating run this season. While the former Net leads the league in assists (10.8 APG). Embiid, at 33.3 PPG, tops the scoring list.
The stat site’s rankings are interesting. Earlier, we listed Embiid at No. 3 and Harden at No. 6 in our take on the latest 2023 MVP race.
On the season front, Harden is averaging 21.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 10.8 assists, while Embiid is notching up 33.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. With these numbers to show for it, it’s no surprise that both players have put their hats in the MVP candidacy ring.
Joel Embiid’s Stone-Cold Take On Who Deserves To Win MVP
The 76ers center has not been the one to mince words, and he had a cold response to the question of who deserved MVP.
Speaking to the media after the team’s win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Embiid said he wasn’t really bothered about the heating-up MVP race. “MVPs, Defensive Player of the Year, that doesn’t mean anything to me,” Embiid said. “I’m still going to be the best player on the floor.”
When asked about who his favorite was: “I don’t know, that’s not for me to answer,” he explained. “I feel like, obviously, being in the run for the last two years has been whatever. This year, I’ve taken a different approach, just trying to focus on the right things. Win games. Dominate, which I’ve been doing. And whatever happens, happens.”
Quite simply, Embiid has his objective clear. It’s championship or bust for the big man, and only time will tell if the side can get their hands on the silverware.
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