We know of the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid’s desire to be the Defensive Player of the Year and league’s MVP. Whether he ends up with either or both awards is another story, but with his antics on Twitter and Instagram, he’ll definitely repeat as the NBA Twitter MVP.
I own a lot of real estate in @andredrummondd head and I’m on my way to build more 🏘🏘🏘 #Bum #TheProcess pic.twitter.com/Mrf2NcNL4r
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) November 3, 2018
Joel Embiid is going to cause this man to have a mental breakdown😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/O6PM9Ecpsw
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 3, 2018
These are posts that Embiid made on November 3, after a Sixers revenge victory against the Detroit Pistons, 109-99. Embiid was dominant against Detroit and particularly against Andre Drummond. He finished with 39 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocks but had 32 points and eight rebounds in the first half. Drummond, who had picked up four fouls guarding Embiid, finished the half with zero points and one rebound.
Embiid was the runner-up last year for DPOY, and his chances of winning this year will be solid if the Sixers get themselves together. Their current rank in opponent points per game is 20th with 112.6 allowed. If they enter the top ten, and Embiid’s individual performance is stellar, he’ll be in the running again.
On the other hand, the MVP award is a long shot. He’s competing with Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Kawhi Leonard at the moment. However, seeing how well Embiid is playing against the competition 11 games into the season, let’s take a look at his numbers, contextualize them, and see where he ranks in these conversations.
Dominance with Numbers
Embiid is third in PPG (28.4), sixth in RPG (12.6), and fifth in BPG (2.2). He’s the only player in the league that ranks in the top six of all three of these categories and is one of three people averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds a game. The other two are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Blake Griffin. He also leads the league with 10 double-doubles in 11 games. The only game where he didn’t get a double-double was in a 21-point victory against the Atlanta Hawks. It’s also Embiid’s only game with less than 30 minutes played.
He’s is the undisputed best center in the Eastern Conference. With Davis fighting injuries and DeMarcus Cousins currently sidelined due to the Achilles tear he suffered last season, Embiid holds the position as the league’s best center right now.
Where does he stand in the MVP race?
Joel Embiid has made his mark this season, but now we to ask the question of the article. Where does he stand it the MVP race? Sadly, not as high as he needs to be. Despite his individual dominance, the fifth seed Sixers are 6-5 to start the season. They have months to improve their record, but finishing with 50+ wins and a top-four seed is required for Embiid to be in the running.
Meanwhile, other MVP candidates are dominating, and their teams are seeing more success. Curry is averaging 33-5-6 on 50-50-90 shooting. Only his coach, Steve Kerr has ever been as efficient, and he was never the dominant player that Curry was. Jokic is averaging 18-10-8 on 52-38-85 shooting with an 8-1 record. The Nuggets are the only team to beat the Warriors so far this season. Giannis is putting up 26-14-6, and the Bucks are 8-1. Leonard is flourishing as a new Toronto Raptor. Kawhi is averaging 26-8-3, has a legitimate shot at making the 50-40-90 club with splits of 50-45-88, and the Raptors hold the East’s first seed with a 9-1 record.
All in all, the Sixers are behind four other teams in their conference, and Embiid currently holds the fifth spot in my MVP rankings. Even if I were to remove Curry because of the potential to lose votes from Kevin Durant, Embiid doesn’t break the top three. In order to have a good shot at the MVP award, Embiid has to continue to perform the way he has while Philly raises in the standings.
Is Embiid the league’s most valuable player?
No, this isn’t a redundant question. Although it’s called the Most Valuable Player award, the award isn’t based solely on how valuable a player is. Other factors such as team success, dominance across the league, and even a loveable storyline can determine who wins the award.
So, let’s take things literally. When it comes to value, does Embiid rank at the top? Starting with other candidates in the running for the award we can immediately eliminate Curry because the next best three players on the Warriors are Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. The three of them along with the rest of the roster have a ceiling of 60 wins and a shot at the title.
Antetokounmpo and Leonard are next. Both of them top players like Embiid but have deeper rosters. Leonard is especially less valuable to Toronto than Embiid to Philly because Kyle Lowry is playing like a top three point guard right now.
Jokic is the last on the list and is an interesting argument. Embiid is a better player and putting up more points, rebounds, and blocks. Jokic, however, is a phenomenal passing big man who has much more range than Embiid and has led his team to two more victories in two fewer games this season. However, the Nuggets are easily 10 guys deep and have one of the most promising rosters in the league. Embiid doesn’t have that kind of support on the team, despite having a top-20 player in Ben Simmons. Just on ranking value to their teams in comparison to the rest of the league, Embiid is at the top.
Embiid and the Sixers have a ways to go for the big man to be the MVP and for the team to be contenders. But while he’s here, expect him to dominate like few centers have in the history of the game.