Joel Embiid: The MVP Contender Who Needs to Stay Healthy
Joel Embiid, the dominant center for the Philadelphia 76ers, is making a strong case for his second consecutive MVP award. If he can stay healthy, there’s no doubt that he is the best regular-season player in the world right now. When Embiid is on the court, he is a force of nature, bending defenses to his will and having a significant impact on Philadelphia’s defensive prowess.
However, Embiid’s MVP campaign faces a precarious moment due to a new awards eligibility policy implemented by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. While MVP has never been an attendance-based reward, Embiid’s case is hindered by the 12 games he has missed this season. In those games, the Sixers have struggled, going 3-9, highlighting his importance to the team’s success.
Statistically, Embiid is unmatched. His Player Efficiency Rating (PER) surpasses that of his closest competitor, Nikola Jokic, by a significant margin. If the season were to end today, Embiid’s PER of 35.33 would be the highest in league history. He leads the league in scoring with an average of 36 points per game and has been on a historic pace per minute.
The only limitation on Embiid’s MVP campaign is his susceptibility to injury. On Monday night, he missed his second consecutive game due to left knee soreness, and the Sixers suffered a 26-point loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. This season, there has been a pattern of the Sixers struggling when Embiid is sidelined.
Embiid’s impact on the court is evident when examining the plus-minus statistics of the Sixers’ lineups. When he is healthy and playing alongside players like De’Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, Nicholas Batum, and Tyrese Maxey, the team has one of the best plus-minuses in the league. However, when Embiid is absent, that same lineup crumbles, getting outscored by 71 points in 219 minutes.
Despite missing some significant matchups, Embiid has proven that he is the driving force behind the Sixers’ success as a playoff contender. His unique combination of post-up skills, range, and defensive prowess sets him apart from other players in the league. The only criticism against him is his aversion to matching up with Jokic, his main competitor for the title of the best player in the world.
While Embiid’s absence in key games may raise eyebrows, it’s important to acknowledge his overall impact on the court. In his 1,127 minutes of play, he has been the league’s best player by a wide margin. The Sixers’ recent loss to the Blazers actually strengthens his case in the long run, as it highlights his importance to the team’s success.
In conclusion, Joel Embiid is undoubtedly one of the top contenders for this season’s MVP award. His numbers and impact on the court speak for themselves. However, his candidacy heavily relies on his ability to stay healthy. If he can remain upright and continue to dominate the game, there’s no doubt that he will be a deserving recipient of his second consecutive MVP title.
