1. He will finish top-5 in MVP voting
In the modern NBA, it’s extremely difficult for a true big man to win MVP. Embiid and Anthony Davis might be the only centers capable of cracking that discussion, and many still consider Davis a power forward.
I won’t sit here and dub Embiid the next MVP. LeBron James and James Harden are better candidates, while Kawhi Leonard could put his name in that discussion. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are always lurking in the shadows.
But I will put Embiid in the running. The Sixers are trending upward and Embiid is set to become his most efficient version to date in season three. He impacts the game on both ends like few players can, shouldering the Sixers’ offense and anchoring their defense.
The Sixers happen to be very good on both ends, largely due to Embiid’s presence.
It’s fair to say the Sixers are projected to finish somewhere in the top-three seeds next season. If Embiid, Simmons and Fultz all take sizable leaps forward, they can easily compete for the top spot. Winning and impact will both be on Embiid’s side.
Harden has finished top-two in MVP voting for three straight seasons. Some would argue that he deserved all three. LeBron is the best player on the planet and the Lakers don’t have much around him.
In a talent-laden NBA, Embiid might never get over the hump and win MVP. He will, however, be among those mentioned in the conversation for years to come. Expect to see his name on the ballot next June.