Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has made it clear that he has always wanted to win Defensive Player of the Year. That has always been his own individual goal in his career, but as he and the Sixers move forward, the MVP award is a real option for him.
Embiid finished as the MVP runner-up in 2021 to Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic, but now, Embiid has taken his game to another level and he is considered the front-runner to win the award this time around.
Embiid is leading the league in scoring at 29.6 points while also averaging 11.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.5 assists. Despite facing constant double teams and triple teams, he is also shooting 49.5% from the floor and he is shooting 81.3% from the free-throw line on 11.3 attempts per game.
“I don’t really want to push for the whole thing, but the way I’ve been playing speaks for itself, especially with everything we went through, the drama this whole year, and obviously missing a big piece, and everything we added to our team and the way our team is set up,” Embiid told reporters in Cleveland. “So really had to take my game to another level, whether it’s offensively, defensively or play-making, and, obviously, I’ve got great teammates that give their all, and that’s helping a lot.”
Embiid’s phenomenal play has vaulted the Sixers back towards the top of the Eastern Conference as they enter this All-Star break at 35-23 and are sitting at the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia becoming one of the top teams in the league will certainly give Embiid a boost in the MVP conversation as well. The individual’s team success always plays a part in the award.
“It always goes back to winning,” Embiid added. “I know that for us to win I’ve got to be dominant. As long as we win, I’ll be at that level and I’ll have a chance to win it all and win the MVP, but to answer your question, the play speaks for itself. Every single night that’s what I’ve been doing offensively and defensively, and I don’t think I’m going to stop that.”
The Sixers will look to then welcome James Harden into the fold after the break when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 25.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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