If the NBA season ended today, Joel Embiid they would probably be crowned MVP from 2023-2024.
In the first poll for the award released by ESPN, The 76ers star finished in first place with a total of 848 points. Nikola Jokic was a distant second at 630, followed by Giannis Antetokounmpo in third at 352.
It’s still too early to take anything for granted, of course, but these results give an idea of just how dominant Embiid has been. The African is on track to lead the NBA in points for the third year in a rowhe is averaging career highs in several categories and the 76ers are battling to lead the Eastern Conference.
Here are some stats that fuel Embiid’s case for the MVP at this beginning of the lesson.
More | How Embiid destroyed the best defense in the NBA with a game from another era
These 3 Joel Embiid stats strengthen his case as MVP
Minutes
Embiid is playing 34.1 minutes per game this season. It’s the second-highest point of his career, but that doesn’t make it any more important.
In that span, the star is scoring 35.1 points, which puts him on track to become the first player since Wilt Chamberlain average over every minute in a season, according to StatMuse.
Chamberlain did so in the 1961-1962 academic year when he had an average 50.4 points in 48.5 minutes per game (No, it’s not wrong). There’s a reason Wilt holds almost every record in NBA history.
Embiid’s shooting volume increased this start, but remained similar to last year at 54.1 percent. A highlight inside is his free throw production, with 11.7 attempts per night and 89.3% accuracy.
Here’s the full list of indoor shooting percentages with a similar volume of free throws in history:
- Joel Embiid in 2020-2021
- Joel Embiid in 2022-2023
- Joel Embiid in 2023-2024
Fans in the United Statesyou can watch the best games of the 2023-2024 NBA season Sling TV. Register by clicking here.
Success from the middle distance
Speaking of Joel Embiid’s shooting success, the player destroys opponents from the average distance.
Only until December 22nd DeMar DeRozan He had hit more mid-range shots than the African. However, it took the veteran shooting guard 210 attempts to make 83 shots (39.5%). Embiid, on the other hand, has connected on 73 shots on just 142 shots (51.4%).
Embiid does things that are unusual for a player of his size, dimensions and weight. He shoots the basket over any smaller defender and, if he’s bigger, destroys them off the bounce with his quickness and individual technique.
The Cameroonian had no problem doing this Rudy Gobert Three-time Defensive Player of the Year who could win the award for a fourth time this season:
Embiid paced Gobert and the Timberwolves with 51 points in 36 minutes on Wednesday, December 20. Much of that damage came from the midrange.
Sign up to NBA League Pass to see all games: United States | The rest of the world
Sixers offensive efficiency
James Harden He played at an All-Star level last season and the 76ers traded him to the Clippers in exchange for role players and draft picks. And yet, their offense is even better.
Philadelphia scored 117.0 points per 100 possessions last year, third best behind only Sacramento (118.6) and Boston (117.3). So far this lesson, only Pacers (122.8) They have a better offensive ratio than 76ers (121.5).
While Tyrese Maxey’s rise to stardom has helped, it’s Embiid who bears most of the blame for that rise. Their offensive burst should speak for itself, but the interior is mediocre 5.9 assistshis career soared.
Additionally, the 76ers have done very well with the interior sitting on the bench.
| Minutes | Aggressive ratio | |
| Joel Embiid on the court | 819 | 124.0 |
| Joel Embiid out | 482 | 119.7 |
All this while the Sixers have the second best defense in the league. Embiid is a monster on both sides of the court.
