Following his team's victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, April 6, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers made a brazen statement.
Following his team’s victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, April 6, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers made a brazen statement. Rivers proclaimed that the MVP race was over after Joel Embiid scored a career-high 42 points, which made up more than half of the team’s total points for the contest.
It is challenging to disagree with Rivers’ evaluation given how well Embiid performed. The 7-foot centre dominated the Celtics’ defence, making 12-of-19 field goals overall and 17 of 21 free throws. As one of the most dominant players in the league, he also had two blocks, 10 total rebounds, and 10 rebounds.
Embiid’s performance against the Celtics wasn’t an isolated incident. He has helped the Sixers to the top of the Eastern Conference standings the entire season, averaging 30 points and 11 rebounds per game. He has also been a force on defence, averaging 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.
Although there are still many contenders for MVP. Numerous players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, who won the award the previous two seasons, are making compelling cases for themselves with a few weeks left in the regular season.
One interpretation of Rivers’ remarks is that he was trying to rally his team around Embiid and give him the recognition he merited. The Sixers, who recently struggled to make significant playoff runs, could benefit from a significant confidence boost from their star player being named the league’s MVP.
Embiid’s outstanding season performance makes it difficult to contest Rivers’ assertion, even though it may be premature. He has been a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court, and if he keeps playing at this calibre, he could very well win the coveted MVP award.
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Joel Embiid, a centre for the Philadelphia 76ers, has played outstanding basketball the entire season, helping his team to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. NBA All-Stars Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry believe that Philadelphia Embiid should receive his first MVP award rather than Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic due to his impressive stats.
Curry recently praised Embiid’s abilities in an interview, calling him a “force to be reckoned with” and praising his capacity for making baskets from both inside and outside the arc. Curry also spoke of Embiid’s contribution to the Sixers’ triumph, saying that he is “doing everything he needs to do to help his team win. “
Lillard, who referred to Embiid as the “most dominant player in the league right now,” backed him up. “. Lillard argued that Embiid should win the MVP award due to his expertise in the post, his capacity to draw fouls and convert free throws, as well as his improved three-point shooting.
Curry and Lillard contend that Embiid’s contribution to his team’s success should not be underestimated, despite the fact that Jokic has been putting up impressive numbers this season, averaging a triple-double, and helping the Nuggets to a playoff spot. Due to his dominance on both ends of the court, Embiid has played a significant role in the Sixers’ position at the top of the Eastern Conference.
Embiid has a strong case to win MVP with an average of 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. He is a defensive powerhouse, recording one point four blocks and one point two steals per game.
Embiid’s support from Curry and Lillard emphasises his outstanding performances this season and his contribution to his team’s victory overall, even though Jokic may still be a strong candidate for the MVP award. Embiid has never been the MVP winner, but if NBA greats like Curry and Lillard back him this season, he might have a good chance.
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