Joel Embiid: 2023 NBA MVP.
The league’s back-to-back scoring champ captured his first league MVP after another dominant season as Philly’s Undisputed Franchise Player. After finishing second to Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić over the past couple of seasons, Embiid finally came away with the award that he so highly coveted.
Joel was unstoppable during the 2022-23 season: if you need some proof, check out his performance against Utah (in November), when he had an incredible lie of 59! POINTS, 11 boards, 8! dimes & 7! blocks. Night in and night out, Embiid made a point to really assert his power on both ends.
Sure, we all know the MVP trophy is an individual award - somehow, though, it’s gotten a little devalued over the past couple of seasons with some pundits & fans either downplaying Jokić or Embiid’s impact since they both failed to win a title at the end of their campaigns.
Two things: it’s neither of their faults as to why they lost earlier than they should’ve in the previous postseasons - also, when did it become alright to ever downplay such a tremendous accomplishment?
Upon winning his first MVP on Tuesday, Joel Embiid outwardly displayed a show of emotion, in front of his teammates, once the announcement was made. In his interview thereafter, he went on to express that while an NBA title remains the primary goal, he’s extremely competitive ad has always wanted to win MVP because it means a huge deal to him and his journey.
That’s always refreshing to hear - especially from a player of his caliber - only a few, select players can ever get to call themselves Most Valuable - Embiid is now etched in history amongst that esteemed group.
Congratulations to one of the most uniquely special (& dominant) forces in our game today!