Joel Embiid Is The 2021 Absolute NBA MVP!!!
2021 NBA MVP
Joel Embiid is the 2021 NBA MVP…but does he deserve the award? Watching Joel Embiid's amazing progression in his game has been a joy to watch. It's not just the increased numbers which have been phenomenal 29.2 PPG 10.7 RPG 2.9 Assists PG 1.4 Blocks and even 1.0 Steals per incredible NBA leading 11.0 FT attempts per outing and the equally amazing 86.0 FT Pct (crucial since he goes to the line so much and he always can be counted on to sink his Free throws in the clutch at the end of ball games) 51.6 FG Pct the 37.7 3Pt Pct and the big 54.9 effective FG Pct It's his improved approach to the game which includes his much improved overall physical conditioning his delivery of the ball to the right people at the right time when he is being double-teamed (often) he has greatly cut back his on court and off court antics. Embiid has taken the mantle as the team leader and is dedicated to be the best player in basketball (and he is as of now) and he seems dedicated to being one of the best players of all time. I do also believe that Joel teamed up with Big Ben Simmons, wants to win his first NBA Title badly and wants to win as many Titles as he can while his window is open. By the time we find out the winner we also know who was able to take their team to the NBA Title.
2021 NBA MVP Problem
The obvious problem is the amount of games that Embiid has or has not played in. In the 76ers 71 games with 1 to go Embiid has only played 51 which of course means he has missed 20 games and may not play in the last game because the Sixers just clinched the number 1 seed for the East in the playoffs. The Denver Nuggets star Center Nikola Jokic while putting up massive numbers has also played in every one of his teams 71 games. The numbers equally if not more impressive than Embiid's. Some of Jokic's numbers….26.4 PPG 10.9 Rebs an insane 8.4 Assts for a 7 foot center while shooting a fabulous 56.7 FG Pct from the floor 86.7 Pct from the free throw line and almost 40 pct from the 3 Point line at 39.7 Pct. Truthfully those numbers are pretty comparable to Embiid's. So it it becomes a balancing act of voting with Embiid missing the 20 games and Jokic playing in every single game but the eye test telling you that Embiid cleary dominates a game at a higher level than Jokic. By the way both of their teams have great records with Philadelphia being 48-23 and Denver is at 47 and 24. That makes it very tough with Embiid right now quite possibly being the very best player in the NBA. I think nod is going to go to Nikola Jokic over Joel Embiid only because of the games and while I think Embiid is arguably the best player in basketball (as of right now with LeBron James slowing slightly) I would have no problem with Jokic getting the award and if I had a vote I might myself vote for Jokic even if I felt is Ebiid is the real MVP when he does play.
The MVP Case For Steph Curry
Another player that has played his way into the conversation is the mercurial sharp-shooter Steph Curry. Has has great all season but in the past month or so has gone on a legendary tear averaging over 37 points per game since April 1st!!! On the season he is averaging 31.8 PPG (more than 1.7 ppg higher than his previous MVP year of 30.1 per). And while missing backcourt partner super-star Clay Thompson out all year with a knee injury his tear has catapulted the Warriors to a late playoff making push. The greatest outside shooter of all-times is having maybe his greatest season ever and will garner some legitimate 2021 NBA MVP votes but will likely fall short to either Embiid or Jokic.
