Joel Embiid turned in an MVP performance Saturday afternoon while matched up with Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who has beaten him out for the award the past two seasons, writes Kyle Neubeck of The Philly Voice. Embiid posted 47 points, 18 rebounds and five assists and made several big plays late in the game to help the Sixers win the battle between two of the NBA’s best teams.
Embiid was a bit too focused on his individual matchup with Jokic early on, Neubeck observes, but he began to take over the game in the second quarter, showing off his full offensive arsenal. Many of Embiid’s points came via a two-man weave with James Harden that resulted in prime scoring opportunities.
Afterward, Embiid said he doesn’t have a personal rivalry with Jokic, but he felt it was “a little disrespectful” that he wasn’t named a starter when the results of this year’s All-Star voting were announced Thursday, relays Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
“I’m used to it,” Embiid said of the snub. “It’s not the first time. I think it’s more of a motivation to go out and win the whole thing. That’s the only way I’m probably going to get that respect.”
There’s more from Philadelphia:
- Georges Niang is headed for a sizable payday in free agency this summer, Neubeck adds. Niang contributed 14 points in about 18 minutes off the bench today, shooting 4-of-7 from three-point range. Neubeck calls Niang one of the NBA’s best bench shooters and expects a lot of teams to be interested when he hits the open market.
- Tyrese Maxey has adapted well to a reserve role since the Sixers changed their starting lineup earlier this month, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer states in a mailbag column. Coming into today, Maxey was averaging 22.4 points and shooting 41.9% on three-pointers in his first five games off the bench. However, Pompey views Maxey as a long-term starter and says he needs to improve his defense this summer so he’ll be a better fit alongside Harden.
- Luxury tax concerns will affect the Sixers’ strategy heading into the trade deadline, Pompey adds. Philadelphia is currently about $1.1MM over the threshold of $150.3MM, so Furkan Korkmaz or Jaden Springer could be unloaded to avoid the tax.
As long as Harden pay cut is $15 million every season going forward, 76ers have no problem to keep everyone
They have to past the 2nd round ……
Harden will want that pay cut repaid…
It was a one off type deal…
If Harden get market value contract, 76ers salary and tax would exceed $300 millions
Easy to remember
Exceed $30 millions = luxury tax $80 million
Exceed $35 million = luxury tax $110 million
Exceed $40 million = luxury tax $140 million
Here is the tax for 76ers next season
Harden Add $10 millions (without pay cut)
Niang Add $10 millions
Milton add $10 million
Thybulle $10 million
in 2024, add Maxey
If I were an owner, I would ask two questions when I interview the new GM.
1. Are you able to sign free agent top 10 superstars?
2. Are you able to do $30 million pay cut for starters each season?
LOL
LOL
They are getting next to nothing out of Tucker.
Embiid dominated Jokic tonight. The nuggets had no answer for him
I am sure you are not biased
Biased, lol. What happens on the court is fact, who cares about who u root for. Embiid dominated Jokic tonight
Have to agree, Embiid had Jokic number on both ends of the floor and the stats and result proved it.
You are the biased one. Jojo stepped up. The joke was exposed.
No one in Philly is ever satisfied. I don’t give a rat’s you-know-what if they were selfish or not, 47 points is 47 points.
Sometimes you have to be selfish to prove a point. It didn’t cost them the game so it’s totally fine. Joel’s performance helped his team win, he dominated his rival, and a point was made. I love it.
It’s a good win for Sixers.
Embiid should just let his game do the talking. Cause he hasn’t won anything yet. Not even gotten to an East Finals. Now that East is much deeper. It will only get harder to get out the East.
I have no problem with him tooting his own horn once in a while. Especially if it’s backed up with his play on the court.
If he wants to celebrate his own accomplishments instead of team ones, he won’t ever win anything meaningful.
@Gary – I also have no problem with his bravado. He should believe he’s the best. But I’ll never abide the victim complex that seems almost standard for this generation of players. He’s been snubbed for nothing. He’s lost some votes where he had a case he should have won. He’s also lost some playoff series that his team, on paper, should have won. Confidence and humility aren’t mutually exclusive. Or they didn’t used to be.
Jojo has played with a shattered face and 4 fingers in the playoffs, put that down on paper. Jojo played with Ben I don’t want the shot Simmons in the playoffs,put that down on paper.
Winning is a team thing. And the process hasn’t netted a return yet. Embiid has become a top talent. Anyone who respects ball can see that. He’d be better served to accept some humility. Till he’s really won something.
Drummond, Green, Jones for Furkan, Tisse, Springer, a 29 protected 1st and a 2nd.
Fits need, fits tax.
That wasn’t a lil bit disrespectful to leave him out of the All-Star starters, that was plain godawful to put JT ahead of him, flipping unbelievable!!!
It’s an absolute disgrace and shows what a joke the All Star Game has actually become. The leading scorer in the NBA last season and this season, who should already have an MVP Award & a DPOY award,and a top 3 player in the NBA-quite honestly,probably #1, doesn’t even get voted into the All Star starters???Absolute disgrace.
Considering they would need to fill a roster spot if they traded someone for tax purposes, Springer likely doesn’t make enough to get them under the tax if he is unloaded.
Maybe playing the 10 day game the rest of the way could get it done but that seems really dumb to have basically a 13 man roster the rest of the season.