NBA MVP Favorites

Right below LeBron in the MVP race is Joel Embiid. The seven footer from Cameroon is having a career year.

Embiid is averaging 29.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg, and 2.8 apg, while shooting 54.3% from the field and 40.0% from three. Also, Embiid leads the league in Player Efficiency Rating (PER), at 31.19.

The big man has been a dominate force in the league this season and is the main reason that the Philadelphia 76ers have the best record in the Eastern Conference with real title hopes.

Another case for Embiid is his play on the defensive end of the floor. The dude has really picked up his defensive effort this season.

He’s always been a great defender, but this season, he’s taken it to another level. His play has even put him into the discussion for the defensive player of the year award.

Another thing to keep in mind with Embiid’s MVP campaign is his narrative which happens to be pretty good.

He’s coming off a very disappointing 2019-2020 season in which the Sixers got swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

In that series, Embiid struggled mightily. He looked out of shape and disinterested, which has been the knock on him since he entered the league.

Now, nobody is questing Embiid’s body or his attitude. He has only missed six games this season and in those six games, the Sixers are 1-5. When Embiid is healthy and plays, the Sixers are 17-5. That plays very well into a Most Valuable Player discussion.

The best case for Embiid to win the MVP is the Sixers get the top seed in the East, Embiid stays healthy, he has to go on a month long tear where he takes the league over while putting up crazy numbers, like 35ppg and 15rpg. Also, Philly has to be a serious threat to win the title.

Right now, despite being the top seed, most people question Philly because of their lack of success in the postseason.

With all that being said, it’s definitely worth it to put some money down on Embiid for MVP.