After finishing runner-up to Nikola Jokic in 2020/21 and ’21/22, Sixers center Joel Embiid won his first MVP award last season. And he’s arguably been even better through the first third of the ’23/24 season, averaging career highs in multiple categories, including points (35.1), assists (5.9) and free throw percentage (89.3%).
In the first MVP straw poll conducted by Tim Bontemps of ESPN (subscriber link), Embiid is the clear frontrunner, receiving 63 first-place votes and 848 points. However, several top players are in the mix, with Nuggets center Jokic (630 points), Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (352), Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (340) and Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (306) rounding out the top five.
12 total players received at least one top-five vote in the informal poll, which features 100 media members and mimics the NBA’s scoring system. Embiid made it clear he’d welcome more hardware.
“I have a pretty good chance [at another MVP],” Embiid told Bontemps. “I mean, if I have a chance to be in the conversation, why not? I want it all. I’m not shy about it. I’m not going to sit here and be like, ‘Oh, I don’t care about this.’ Anything that I can get my hands on, I want it.”
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- All-Star fan voting is underway, prompting Zach Harper of The Athletic to choose his starters to this point in the season. Out West, Harper has Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic in the backcourt, with LeBron James (Lakers) and Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) joining Jokic in the froncourt. For the East, Harper selects Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Antetokounmpo, and Embiid.
- In a press release, the NBA announced its celebrations for the first-ever World Basketball Day, which was established by the United Nations earlier this year during the World Cup. It will be observed annually on December 21 — the day Dr. James Naismith first introduced the game of basketball at the Springfield YMCA in 1891.
- Former first-round pick Darius Bazley is attempting to make his way back into the NBA through the G League after being waived by the Nets prior to the season. Playing for the Delaware Blue Coats (the Sixers‘ affiliate), Bazley had a huge game at the Winter Showcase on Wednesday, recording 43 points, 18 rebounds, three steals and six blocks in the victory over the Texas Legends (Twitter link via the NBAGL).
Bulls should look at Bazley and Lofton if they can get them. They could really use a PF, and Bazley can space to a degree and is a good defender. Lofton’s rim-running and physicality would also fit decently.
I think Kawhi should be in the MVP discussion, if LAC continues to play well and he stays healthy. If they land a top 4 seed that helps, he has been dominate both ends of the court.
Kawhi healthy all season is a big If. As of right now he would be a threat to Tatum for the second forward spot in the all nba first team
World Basketball Day and the NBA celebrates by putting one game on NBATV. Way to make your product accessible to fans!
Jan 16th Embiid/Joker matchup will be great. I don’t think Joker can do anything to stop Embiid. He made mincemeat out of Goebert and Towns last night. Mike Malone better be making a Benadryl Shirley Temple for the Process.
I wouldn’t be so sure…
Embiid can be stopped by the Nuggets defense. Be it Jokic, or team defense (Gordon).
Sixers defense can’t stop Jokic
Lol last year Denver fans made “Missing” posters of Embiid because he refused to play against Jokic in Denver.