MVP Showcase: Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid has been an absolute monster this season, leading the league in scoring with an impressive 33 points per game while also contributing 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists. His scoring output alone is enough to make him a serious MVP contender, but his impact goes much deeper.

One of the most telling stats is his PER of 31.2, which is second in the league only to Nikola Jokic. PER takes into account all aspects of a player’s game including scoring, rebounding, assists, and defense. Embiid’s high PER directly reflects his all-around dominance.
Embiid is also third in the league in win shares with 11.8, showing that he is a major reason for the Sixers’ success this season. While Jokic and Sabonis are ahead of him in this category, Embiid’s individual contributions cannot be ignored.

In addition to his impressive offensive output, Embiid is a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end. His 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals per game are both impressive numbers, especially considering that he plays center/power forward, where defensive responsibilities are often greater.

While Joel Embiid’s dominance on the court cannot be denied, it is worth noting that he has missed 14 games this season due to various injuries. This is the only real downside to his MVP campaign, as it means he has played in fewer games than some of his competitors for the award. However, it is also worth noting that even with these missed games, Embiid’s impact on the Sixers has been immense. The team’s record when he is in the lineup is 42-22, while the Sixers are 9-5 without him. Embiid’s presence on the court changes the game in ways that go beyond the box score as he often draws double teams and allows his team easy open shots, while also covering for their defensive inefficiencies.

Overall, Embiid’s dominance on both ends of the court have been instrumental in the Sixers’ success this season, as they currently sit third in the Eastern Conference with 51 wins. While Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are also strong MVP contenders, Embiid’s all-around game and impact on his team make a strong case for him as the deserving winner of this year’s award.