For the first time since Steve Nash’s double in 2005 and 2006, the NBA has decided to organize the award ceremony for the season’s MVP trophy in front of the public of the player concerned. The Philadelphia public therefore had the chance to relive a strong moment with its major player, Joel Embiid, almost 22 years after Allen Iverson.
The ceremony was just as moving as that which crowned “The Answer” in 2001. Briefly introduced by Adam Silver, Joel Embiid was able to lift the first “Michael Jordan Trophy” in history to the applause of all his teammates and the “MVP” chanted by the 20,000 fans present for the occasion.
The pivot then took the floor to thank those who accompanied him during his career: God, his teammates, for having made this accomplishment possible, then his parents before bringing his son to his side, for what will remain. undoubtedly as the highlight of this trophy presentation, the pivot of the Sixers having had to wipe away a few tears when he took him in his arms.
He went on to thank his fiancée and his mentor, former NBA player Luc Mbah a Moute. “He gave me the opportunity to come to the US, and here I am.”
His last word was addressed to the public in Philadelphia. “We’ve been through a lot over the years. The work is not finished, we are going to need you, all your support for the rest of these playoffs. We still have a long way to go. Thank you and continue to support us”.
It was then time to pose with the trophy with his parents before getting ready for the game.
On May 16, 2001, Allen Iverson was galvanized by the moment, then dropping 52 points in a valuable victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Toronto. Joel Embiid was less inspired, since beyond his 30 points and 13 rebounds while still playing diminished, the Sixers lost the game.
| 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 | 66 | 35 | 54.8 | 33.0 | 85.7 | 1.7 | 8.4 | 10.2 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 33.1 |
| Total | 394 | 32 | 50.1 | 33.7 | 81.9 | 2.2 | 8.9 | 11.2 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 27.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
