So there was no last duel between Nikola Jokic And Joel Embiid. Too embarrassed by his calf, the Sixers pivot tested himself in training but he was in no condition to challenge the Nuggets’ double MVP.
James Harden also absent, Denver had no trouble getting rid of Philadelphia, without its superstar duo.
As for the Serb, author of a new big triple-double (25 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists) in the victory of his team, firmly clinging to the first place in the West (51-24), he did not did not wish to enter the debate on the MVP, who had become “toxic” for many observers, and simply sang the praises of his rival.
“He is an excellent player”he thus explained at ESPN when asked about Joel Embiid. “He will be remembered as one of the most dominant players in the league. He’s a monster, and he’s so talented. It can weigh on the game in many ways. He can play low post, he can face the basket, he can shoot 3-pointers. He can defend really well. In some situations, he can defend players from point guard to center. So he’s a very, very good player. »
As for Doc Rivers, he recalled what he has been repeating for several weeks: that this race for the MVP must above all make it possible to celebrate the talent of players in the NBA, and not to devalue the opponents.
“It seems that we no longer have the right to celebrate people”he still launched. “The league is however in a formidable situation. It’s a great place. You have Joel Embiid and Joker, two pivots who dominate in a league that no longer values pivots. You have Giannis, and I always put him in an undefined category, because it’s unclear what Giannis is exactly, but he’s one of the best players in the league. Jayson Tatum plays incredibly well. Kevin Durant, if he hadn’t been injured. We could continue the list. »
“You can like them all, and you can even dislike one of them because you adore the other. But you don’t need to belittle anyone. I think we just need to get back to judging by our preferences, not needing to hate others” he concludes thus.
| Joel Embiid | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2016-17 | PHL | 31 | 25 | 46.6 | 36.7 | 78.3 | 2.0 | 5.9 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 20.2 |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 63 | 30 | 48.3 | 30.8 | 76.9 | 2.3 | 8.7 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 22.9 |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 64 | 34 | 48.4 | 30.0 | 80.4 | 2.5 | 11.1 | 13.6 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 27.5 |
| 2019-20 | PHL | 51 | 30 | 47.7 | 33.1 | 80.7 | 2.8 | 8.9 | 11.6 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 23.0 |
| 2020-21 | PHL | 51 | 31 | 51.3 | 37.7 | 85.9 | 2.2 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 28.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHL | 68 | 34 | 49.9 | 37.1 | 81.4 | 2.2 | 9.6 | 11.7 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 30.6 |
| 2022-23 | PHL | 61 | 35 | 54.5 | 34.1 | 85.6 | 1.8 | 8.4 | 10.2 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 33.3 |
| Total | 389 | 32 | 49.9 | 33.8 | 81.9 | 2.2 | 9.0 | 11.2 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 27.2 | |
