Joel Embiid was a top MVP candidate for most of the 2020-21 season but for a multitude of reasons, he fell short of that goal. However, it’s a new season and Embiid should still be in the conversation for the award entering this year.
Embiid is entering his prime, last season he averaged 28.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks. Those averages are bound to improve with Ben Simmons holding out for a trade. With that in mind, there are still several things that could prevent the big man from winning the MVP award this year. The idea for this article was from Adam Taylor of NuggLove.
3 threats to Embiid’s MVP chances: Health
Health is always surrounded Embiid since before he was drafted. He missed the first two seasons of his career due to injuries. His first contract extension coming off his rookie deal had injury protections built into it.
In the five seasons he has played in, he’s only played in 260 of a possible 391 games. Last season, he only played in 51 out of 72 possible games and it can be argued that those 21 games missed cost Embiid the MVP that year.
He can’t afford to miss 21 games this season in order to win the MVP. He will have to play a career-high in games if he wants a shot at that award. He will have at least 72 to have a legit shot at the award.
In the history of the NBA, there has only been one player who has won an MVP without winning at least 70 games in a standard 82-game NBA season. Bill Walton won the award in the 1977-78 season and only played 58 games. However, following in Walton’s steps isn’t ideal for the Sixers big man as Walton’s career was marginalized due to injuries.