Top 100 NBA players — 4. Joel Embiid, Sixers
MVP or no MVP, Joel Embiid‘s season will go down as one of the most memorable of the last decade. After some brief COVID-related hurdles early in the season, Embiid has been unstoppable. He helped guide the Sixers through the toxic waste dump of Ben Simmons’ departure, both on the court and in the locker room. Embiid’s leadership presence has never been more pronounced, and his sustained capacity for growth boggles the mind. He can mix brute strength, pirouetting footwork, and devoutly crafted skill like very few centers ever have. Embiid is one of a kind.
On top of his dominant scoring and improved playmaking out of doubles, Embiid continues to hover around the All-Defense discussion. He’s one of the best rim protectors in the NBA when engaged — wide and long enough to engulf players whole, but quick enough to guard out in space, play high in drop coverage, or wander free safety-style in the shadows. Embiid’s two-way dominance has cemented him as a top-5 NBA player. There’s a reason the city of Philadelphia is so fond of him.
Top 100 NBA players — 3. Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
While the definition of MVP changes from person to person, the definable facts — statistics, advanced or otherwise — tend to point to one person. That person is Nikola Jokic, who has posted a stat line hitherto unseen in NBA history. His production across the board is historic, as is the efficiency with which he has accomplished his historic levels of production, all while missing his two best running mates in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
Jokic might be the best passer in the NBA. If not, then he views the game with the basketball equivalent of an IMAX camera — he can process wider and further than any other player, thinking up then executing passes no other player would have any hope of completing. Part of that is sheer size and strength. Part of it is Jokic’s singular basketball mind. He is this writer’s pick for MVP this season, and there’s a credible argument to bump him up to No. 1 on this list. Again, the stats are hard to deny. But, these next two are — in the simplest terms — bad dudes…