Joel Embiid: 'No doubt' I'm the MVP this season

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid: There's 'no doubt' I'm the MVP this season

By Blake Harper | Last updated 4/22/21

Joel Embiid is having the best season of his career, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to the best record in the Eastern Conference while averaging 30.1 points and 11.3 rebounds per game this season. Will his outstanding play earn him the MVP Trophy? Embiid certainly thinks so.

76ers star Joel Embiid sits down with @Stadium: “There’s no doubt (I’m MVP). I’ve been dominant all season. I’m not going to stop.” On motivation from feeling disrespected and frustrated last season, Shaq’s criticism “opened my eyes to actually realize that I can be that guy.” pic.twitter.com/Ud3O2APOkV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 22, 2021

While there is no question that Embiid has been phenomenal this season, the main case against the Philadelphia center is how much time he hasn't been on the court. Embiid has played in only 40 of the 76ers' 58 games, which could disqualify him from serious consideration in some voters' minds.

It's shaping up to be one of the strangest MVP races in recent memory, as many of the leading candidates, including Embiid, LeBron James and James Harden, have missed significant chunks of the season, while guys like Steph Curry or Luka Doncic have put together amazing seasons for underperforming teams.

As of now, Nikola Jokic looks like the favorite to win, but perhaps Embiid will be able to make a late-season push that gets him back to the top spot.

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