Joel Embiid, the center for the Philadelphia 76ers, is expected to be named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, joining the ranks of Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Allen Iverson as the only Sixers to win the award. The announcement will be made during Tuesday’s NBA Tip-Off show on TNT. Embiid was a finalist alongside Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Embiid finished as the runner-up to Jokić in each of the last two seasons but won his second consecutive scoring title with 33.1 points per game. He also ranked eighth in rebounding and seventh in blocks. Jokić was 18th in scoring but second in rebounds and third in assists during the regular season, leading the league with 29 triple-doubles. Antetokounmpo was the best player on the league’s best team during the regular season, ranking fifth in scoring and third in rebounds.
If Embiid wins the award, he will cement his status as one of the league’s top players and add to the legacy of the Sixers’ storied franchise. Despite being doubtful to play in Game 1 against the Celtics due to a knee injury, Embiid’s MVP candidacy is not in doubt. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly awaiting the announcement to see if Embiid can join the ranks of the Sixers’ all-time greats.
Keywords: Joel Embiid, NBA, Most Valuable Player, Philadelphia 76ers, Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Allen Iverson, Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, scoring title, rebounding, blocks, triple-doubles, injury, candidacy, franchise, legacy.