Speaking to reporters this weekend, Sixers coach Doc Rivers made a case for Joel Embiid to win the Most Valuable Player award, as Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer relays. Embiid is currently in the midst of his best season, averaging 30.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.
“Listen, I don’t get on this, but I really believe he should be the MVP,” Rivers said.
In addition to his impressive averages, Embiid has led Philadelphia to a 47-30 record. He’ll face stiff competition for the award this year, which will include Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Memphis’ Ja Morant, Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Here are some other notes from the Atlantic:
- The Knicks have been eliminated from playoff contention, but second-year forward Obi Toppin is showing he still cares about the games, Neil Best of Newsday writes. Toppin most recently finished with 20 points, four rebounds and four assists in a loss to the Cavaliers on Saturday, showing potential at 24 years old.
- The Nets dropped a 122-115 game to the Hawks on Saturday despite receiving a superstar performance from Kevin Durant, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. Durant finished with a career-high 55 points on 19-of-28 shooting from the floor (68%), but it clearly wasn’t enough. Brooklyn forced just six Atlanta turnovers and allowed over 115 points for a fourth straight game.
- Now that the Celtics have won 49 games, forward Jaylen Brown is halfway to meeting the criteria for a $482K bonus, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link). Brown will receive the bonus if Boston makes the second round of the playoffs. The incentive was deemed unlikely at the start of the season, Marks notes.
Obi1 time has come….. Plzzzzzz
The sixers need to stop talking about the MVP stuff and just play ball.
I agree…I am hoping that Joel wins just so he can stop campaigning…then maybe we can focus on winning
Man Knicks were having fun today, ball moving players running w/out the ball
Why why why soo long?
I Say the odds on Randle moving over 65% now…4 more games like this only gets that number up
Randle’s got a spot in the Nba it’s just not on this team. I don’t think Minnesota would commit but I could see that relationship working well in todays new age NBA assuming Randles willing to give up the keys and just do what he do.
There’s positive value in a big that can distribute the ball but it can’t be your primary source (unless your Joker) ….hard to think Randle could moon walk backwards in NYK even IF they could find a real PG , best to move him Imo and it won’t be hard at all w multiple suitors
If only they could play tanking teams all season long….
Randle last yr showed his true value. But this yr he is showing us his emotions are more important. Just play ball and do all you can do to help your team win. NY is not for him. Just Like KP wore out his welcome. Randle has too. Life is short for a pro athlete. Don’t waste it trying to get fulfillment from fans. Get the most out of your talent and career. Grow up lol.
My most significant Atlantic Note is Quickley’s continuing development as a PG, with tonight’s triple double. 10 assists with 1 turnover. He’s earned a shot at the starting PG job next year. Pleasantly surprised, it wasn’t looking so good a few months ago.
Agree he’s made strides to play the point. Hope he stays the course. Cause we need a starting PG. Didn’t see this last yr. So I’m rooting for him.
Started after last season. IQ asked to be given a chance to play PG, starting with the summer league. That went OK, but the start of the year really didn’t and it got worse when Rose went down. But he stayed with it, and the staff stayed with him. McBride will get the coming summer league, and we’ll see. Certainly we’re looking better at the position than we did coming into the year.
6 Atlanta turnovers. Brooklyn should now realize the worth of Bruce Brown.
At First i thought Steve Nash was a good coach but now I am not sure.
Hey Doc & Embiid, easy reason you’re not the mvp.. you aren’t the best player.. 1) Joel, you don’t even shoot 50% from the floor. You’re more worried about free throws than shooting. 2) Jokic is a much better center than you. Without Murray Jokic brings the ball up and the offense goes through him. He’s a much better shooter than you and if he flopped half as much as you, he’d average 40th/gm.
Back to my last comment, STOP FLOPPING. You make Lebron look good with the amount of flopping you do.
That’s all a little harsh on Embiid. Jokic is a better player yes, but not by that much. Embiid just st needs to stop begging for the MVP and play ball.
Nah, Jokic isn’t better. It’s pretty much a wash, but they are very different even though they play the same position. To me Giannis is showing he is still the MVP…I do hope Joel wins it just so they can stop talking about it.
Jojo is the most dominant player in the league friend. Unstoppable. A man amongst boys. Sorry Toddler you need to apologize and accept reality.