The feeling is that if he continues like this, he could potentially win the MVP award, although Jokic might break a few more records this season, perhaps even finish the season with a triple-double average. Luka Doncic is also on track to play his most efficient season so far, just like Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, Joel Embiid is simply too efficient for them, as PER clearly confirms, while the team is winning. Will he confirm all the splendor of his talent in the playoffs or potentially in the NBA Finals?
There’s no aspect of the basketball game in which he doesn’t dominate this season. Joel is always a dominant force under the basket, and when he receives the ball a meter from the hoop, you either get points or free throws that he shoots with a career-best average of 89%. He punishes defenses with his outside shot in various ways, facing or backing down, it doesn’t matter to him. He has started to facilitate the team, allowing his teammates to shine. With a usage rate of 38%, he doesn’t turn the ball over too much.
There is no aspect of the basketball game in which he doesn’t dominate this season
He played his last masterpiece against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the top defense in the NBA led by Rudy Gobert. He scored 51 points with 12 rebounds (17-25 from the field, 17-18 free throws). This made him the first player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972 to string together at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in 12 consecutive games. Only four players before him have achieved this feat – Wilt, Kareem, Elgin Baylor, and Walt Bellamy.
Embiid’s average of 35.1 points is the highest for a center since Wilt in 1964 (36.9). If he maintains these numbers, it will be only the 12th season in league history in which a player has averaged 35 or more points. Also, he will become only the sixth player to achieve this feat (Wilt, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Harden, Rick Barry).
These numbers will, of course, change throughout the season, and they are difficult to sustain, considering Embiid’s injury history. Hopefully, he will manage to play at least 65 games, which is the minimum for a player to be in contention for awards. However, Joel Embiid is a veteran when it comes to the regular season, and if he and his teammates stay healthy, the 76ers should finish among the top five teams in the NBA.
We are currently witnessing a basketball masterpiece directed by a man who can do everything you can imagine on the basketball court
According to Basketball-Reference.com, a leading site for advanced statistics in the NBA, Embiid has a whopping 56.7% chance of winning the MVP award. Jokic is second with 19.6%, while the incredible Doncic has a meager 2.7% chance. Joel is having such a brutal season. On the official NBA website, Embiid is also ahead of the Serbian center, while in Las Vegas, all bookmakers have Embiid in the lead.
Now, just two weekends ago, Jokic also led in all these lists. On Basketball-Reference.com, he also had over 50% chances, largely due to Jamal Murray’s absence when he had to take on more responsibility. Knowing the mentality of these two players, we are more inclined to believe that Embiid will “chase” this award, while Jokic will focus on team success to the maximum.
We are witnessing numbers reaching unimaginable heights from season to season, and based on that, it is not realistic to compare eras because the playing conditions were not the same. In any case, we are witnessing a basketball masterpiece directed by a man who can do everything you can imagine on the basketball court.