By Max Tijero, Year 12
In 2023, the Philadelphia 76ers’ center Joel Embiid won the Kia MVP prize, awarded to the league’s best regular season player. Led by the 7 foot Embiid, the 76ers finished as the 3rd seed in the eastern conference. However, the team’s regular season success was not reflected during the playoffs.
Playoffs:
In the first round of the 2023 playoffs, the 76ers played against the Brooklyn Nets, who were the 6th seed. The 76ers were clear favorites with stars accompanying the MVP such as James Harden or Tyrese Maxey. The Nets had a weak roster with their best player being Mikal Bridges. The series ended up with the Nets getting swept and Embiid averaging a solid 20 points and 11 rebounds. In the 2nd round, the 76ers would play against the Celtics, who were a candidate for the title having reached the NBA finals last year. They finished the season as the 2nd seed and they had an excellent roster. Jason Tatum, Jaylen Brown, DPOY Marcus Smart and 6th man of the year Malcom Brogdon. It was à team with young talent mixed with experience. Embiid missed the first game of the series, in which the 76ers got à 1-0 lead. However, the matches were very close and it had to go to game 7 to see who would move on. In game 7, the Celtics breezed past the 76ers with à 112-88 victory. Joel Embiid dropped à poor 15 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist. With this second round exit, the MVP had à disappointing playoff run, making people wonder if he really deserved to be the Most Valuable Player in the NBA.
Rings:
There are multiple MVPs with no rings such as Russell Westbrook or James Harden, but Embiid is the only MVP in Nba history to never pass the second round of the playoffs. The post-season is where great players turn into legendary players. Most people expect the great players to perform in the playoffs, given that it’s where the stakes are high. Embiid’s disappointing playoff runs over the years have raised the question of whether or not Embiid is an MVP category player.
Stats:
During the 2022-23, Embiid was averaging 33 points per game, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Whilst these stats were MVP candidate worthy, Nikola Jokic was second with 25 points per game, 10 assists, and 12 rebounds. The Nuggets’ center had shown à far more dominant season, proving to being not only à scorer, but also an elite playmaker, which Embiid wasn’t. Not to mention that in the playoffs, Jokic ended up leading the Denver Nuggets to their first ever ring. It is also said the Jokic did not win the MVP because of vote fatigue more than due to his actual game
Conclusion:
In 2022-23, Joel Embiid had an outstanding season in which he showed the world that he was an elite scorer. However, MVP stands for most valuable player, and Embiid was not the most valuable player, especially comparing him to other MVP winners, or even the runner up for that years’ MVP. Embiid’s disappointing playoff runs and inconsistency over the years, are what lead people to believe that he did not deserve this MVP award.
Joel Embiid: Deserved MVP?
