This past weekend featured a star-studded affair in the NBA when the Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Denver Nuggets. Two-time defending MVP Nikola Jokic was going to go head-to-head with MVP hopeful Joel Embiid.
Embiid has finished second to Jokic the last two seasons and is looking to do everything he can to get over the hump this season. Having an edge in the individual matchups while helping his team win the game, will certainly help his case.
After trailing by as many as 15 points in the game, the 76ers mounted a nice comeback to win the game 126-119. It was Embiid who led the charge as Denver had no answer for him in any facet of the game.
The MVP-runner up scored 47 points, shooting 18-of-31 from the field, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. He pulled down 18 rebounds to go along with five assists, three steals and two blocks.
It is fair to ask what some people have against Embiid, who wasn’t even voted an All-Star starter despite being right in the thick of the MVP race. But, that isn’t something he is concerned with as he isn’t phased by it.
NBA NEWS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
“I’m used to it,” Embiid said. “It’s not the first time. I think it’s more of a motivation to go out and win the whole thing. That’s the only way I’m probably going to get that respect.”
“I was not surprised,” Embiid continued, when asked what he thought when he saw the voting results come in Thursday night. “I think it’s well documented that I’m not well-liked. That’s cool. I don’t know it’s because I troll a lot or that I guess I’m an a–hole. But it’s cool. I keep being me. I keep being an a–hole, and I keep trolling, and if people don’t like it, that’s their problem. But like I said, it all goes back to winning.”
This is a deep, talented 76ers team and probably the best one that he has been a part of in his career. James Harden and Tyrese Maxey combine with Embiid to make a very strong Big 3 and the role players behind them, such as Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton and P.J. Tucker fit in well.
NBA NEWS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
Embiid’s counterpart in Jokic had a good game himself, scoring 24 points with eight rebounds and nine assists. But in crunch time with the game hanging in the balance, it was Embiid who shined brightest. While many people saw this as a statement game for him, he is done trying to make voters take notice.
“I don’t know. That’s up to you guys to decide,” Embiid told ESPN with a smile, referring to the media, who votes for MVP and the other season-ending awards. “Like I told you, I’m done arguing for myself. It’s all out there. Whatever I do.
“But the focus is on winning. As long as we win, I know everything is going to take care of itself. If we keep winning, and everyone stays healthy, I’ve got a better chance of going out there and winning a championship.”
NBA NEWS: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, Nikola Jokic & Denver Nuggets Updates
It is hard to ignore the impact that Embiid is having with the level that he is performing. As long as he remains healthy he will be right in the thick of the MVP discussion again, looking to overtake Jokic after falling just short the last two seasons.
