Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has taken big steps as a player in the 2021-22 season. He has developed as a leader out on the floor. He has improved his game as a scorer. And he has taken better care of his body, so he can be out there for his team more often.
Embiid’s stellar play is why he is in the running to win the MVP award, and he is catching the respect of everybody around the league. There isn’t a lot the opposition can do on the floor to stop him.
Sixers legend Julius Erving sat down with Bryan Kalbrosky over at For The Win and said this about Embiid:
I love Joel and I love watching him become the player he has become. Moses Malone was a finished product two months into his pro career. It’s taken Joel a little longer, but he’s going down that same path where he has just become that dominant force. He has added a touch of finesse to it, too. Because he shoots 3-pointers and he shoots turnaround jumpers on the baseline. He’s put himself in a position where he is unstoppable unless you send a second or third player over. But he is smart enough to give up the ball then.
It remains to be seen whether Embiid will win the award. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is having a pretty historic season in the Mile High City himself, but the Sixers will gladly trade the MVP award for a deep playoff run.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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