Updated NBA MVP ladder: What are odds for Sixers’ Joel Embiid?

Based on level of performance, Joel Embiid might deserve a higher spot than this. But, there are several factors at play. One of them being team success. Philly is starting to make some genuine forward progress in the standings, and Embiid can’t really control the whirlwind of injuries around him, but the Sixers aren’t the best team in the mix here.

Also, there’s the simple matter of games played. Embiid has already missed a significant chunk of games due to various nicks and bruises. He has played 20 games. Doncic, for example, has played 27 games. Other prime contenders have played even more than that. If Embiid can stay relatively healthy the rest of the way (and that’s a huge if), the games played argument should lose steam. But right now, it’s unavoidable.

So, with the Negative Nancy stuff out of the way, let’s talk about how freakin’ good Joel Embiid has been. Ever since opening the season with two of the worst games we’ve seen out of him in a long time, Embiid has been on an absolute tear. He’s leading the NBA in scoring (33.3) on career-best field goal percentage (53.5), all while upgrading his playmaking talent and playing elite (if sometimes inconsistent)  defense.

The Sixers would be lost deep in the woods at night without Embiid to light the way. He’s truly one of his generation’s most impressive offensive players. If the Sixers keep winning games and he can stay on the court, I would expect Embiid to move closer to the top. There’s still ample time for him to win the award, and he’s trending up, up, up.