Joel Embiid, the superstar of the Philadelphia 76ers, is out for revenge after placing second to Nikola Jokic for NBA regular season MVP honors in 2021-22. Over the All-Star break, the Sixers’ center has been receiving substantial MVP consideration, and Donovan Mitchell, guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, believes he deserves even more attention for his efforts.
This past weekend, the 2023 NBA All-Star Game took place in Salt Lake City, bringing together the league’s best players. In spite of the freezing temperatures (ranging from 25 to about 35 degrees), the weekend was full of activities, parties, and even some surprises. On Saturday, journalists from all around the globe gathered in Los Angeles for All-Star Media Day to interview the league’s biggest stars and get insight into the sport from a new angle.
Mitchell was quizzed on if he felt he was still in the running for 2023 Most Valuable Player.
Donovan Mitchell believes Nikola Jokic is the likely MVP, but says Joel Embiid is highly disrespected as an MVP candidate. (via @tomerazarly)https://t.co/2lH6o7dDYy
— ClutchPoints NBA (@ClutchPointsNBA) February 22, 2023
“Obviously, it’s something that I obviously want to win the award, for sure,” Mitchell stated. “But I can’t lie. I don’t know if y’all have been watching what Jokic has been doing. It’s f***ing outrageous to be honest. I don’t know mow many people have won it three times in a row, but I definitely feel like I’m in that conversation as well, but he’s otherworldly right now and he’s been doing it at such a [high] level.”
At the end of the 51st game, Nikola Jokic had averaged 24.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 10.1 assists while shooting an astounding 63.2 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Mitchell wasn’t the only one who could articulate why Sixers star Joel Embiid should be considered for MVP this year; Donovan Mitchell could, too.
“Joel should be held in great respect as well, in my opinion. Personally, I believe he is treated with extreme contempt. He is a player who always delivers for his team, and this past year, when nobody knew for sure whether Ben or not would be on the court, he still managed to carry the load.
Throughout the season, Joel Embiid has started 45 games for the Sixers, averaging 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks on 52.7 percent shooting from the field and 35.5 percent from deep.
“I think he deserves a lot of respect in that race as well. If I had to choose, you look at what Jokic and Joel are doing as a tandem, I think definitely those two definitely deserve their respect.” Donovan stated.
After actively pushing for himself last year and coming up short, Joel Embiid seems to have backed off the commercial front this season. Instead, he’s remaining put in the hopes that voters will be impressed by his performance on the field.
There are just 21-23 games left in the regular season for most clubs. The Denver Nuggets are 41-18 up to the All-Star break. They have a five-game lead over Memphis, who in turn has a three-game lead over Sacramento for second place.
With a record of 38-19, the Sixers are third in the Eastern Conference, behind only the Boston Celtics (42-17) and the Milwaukee Bucks (41-17). The sprint to the end promises to be exciting.
