Joel Embiid Has a Lot to Say in Recent Interview

by Anthony Dacunto

In a recent interview with The Athletic, Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers' star center, weighed in on a variety of topics, including the playoffs and how he handles the pressure that comes with them. However, the interview's focal point was the ongoing debate between Embiid and Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic over who should be crowned this year's MVP. Having been the runner-up to Jokic for the last two seasons, Embiid had a lot to say on the matter. When asked about his thoughts on Giannis' statement that MVP criteria changes from year-to-year, Embiid agreed with him. He expressed his belief that the MVP award's analytics and criteria often do not align with the 'eye test.' Embiid added, "You can talk about analytics all you want. When you got some guys in the league, the eye test tells you that they're not good defensively, but analytics tell you they're the best defenders. That's when analytics don't make sense at all." It was evident from his statements that he firmly believes he should be crowned MVP this year. He also shared some words on how he believes he has proven himself defensively, and is deserving of an All-Defensive team selection. In the interview, Embiid also spoke candidly about his self-perception in the league. He believes he is not really well-liked as a player in the league, but doesn't mind being the bad guy or the underdog. The pressure does not faze him, and he is solely focused on making his mark in the league, leaving behind a legacy as an unstoppable force. The interview was a notable one, and Embiid's points were well-articulated and interesting to listen to. An Embiid vs. Jokic matchup Monday night would have been ideal, and it is disappointing to say the least that Embiid will not be playing. Regardless of anything, it's apparent that Embiid's desire to be crowned MVP this year is strong, and it wouldn't be surprising if he ends up winning it, especially considering his exceptional performances this season. It should be fun to see how things play out in the end.

 

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