NBA MVP Watch: Embiid Leads the Pack Early

Story posted January 27, 2021 in CommRadio, Sports by Eric Fenstermaker

The NBA is a star-driven league. Simply put, you can’t win unless you have one of the game’s best handling the ball for you.

Every year, the league’s finest compete for the title of Most Valuable Player: an award designed to honor the individual that carried his team the most and proved to be utterly indispensable.

This award is a high honor and one of the most respected awards an athlete can receive.

This season, the NBA has plenty of candidates vying for this award, and each player is more than worthy of plenty of accolades.

Some players like Giannis Antetokounmpo—the current two-time defending champion of the award—and LeBron James are looking to repeat as MVPs, while others—like Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid—are searching for their first MVP trophy.

While there are plenty of standout players this season, three in particular have been the most eye-catching.

Here are the current top three candidates in order for NBA MVP.

Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers

Everyone knows Embiid for his dynamic post play and outside jump shot, but Embiid has taken a major step forward elsewhere this year, vaulting himself to the front of the list for MVP consideration.

The 7-foot center from Cameroon is averaging a career-high 27.7 points per game in addition to career highs in steals (1.3), field goal percentage (55.4%), 3-point percentage (40.5%) and free throws (10.7) per game.

Embiid is a catalyst for the 76ers on both offense and defense. Even with all the 76ers’ disturbances due to COVID-19 scares and injuries, Embiid has led his team to a 12-6 start, which has the 76ers positioned at the top of the Eastern Conference.

With two games of 40 plus points already, Embiid continues to improve and evolve in his ability to score anywhere on the floor and defend some of the NBA’s best.

Luka Doncic, PG, Dallas Mavericks

Doncic continues to develop his ability to score all over the floor, but the Slovenian phenom is even more valuable because he does it all.

The 21-year-old guard is nearly averaging a triple-double this season with 26.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game. Doncic ranks in the top 15 of all three categories.

Doncic has five triple-doubles this season, which is tied with Nikola Jokic for the most in the NBA. He is also averaging a career high in blocks per game (0.7) and a career low in fouls per game (1.7).

With six 30-point games already, Doncic is showing why he's an offensive juggernaut who can score at will. He leads the Mavericks in almost every statistical category and is putting the team on his back.

Doncic is keeping the Mavericks afloat in the loaded Western Conference, and he is etching his name in the NBA’s record books with so many dominant performances at such a young age.

Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets

The Joker is laughing at the NBA’s top talent as he is becoming one of the most statistically dominant players in NBA history.

Jokic is averaging career highs in points (25.8), assists (9.6), steals (1.9) and rebounds (12). The former second-round pick continues to make opposing teams pay by averaging just 0.4 assists under a triple-double.

His scoring has been most impressive as Jokic’s lowest point total this season is 17 against the Suns on Jan 1.

He continues to bombard opposing defenses, but he also dominates on the other end of the floor. With almost two steals and a block every game, the 6-foot-11-inch center continues to wow fans.

Look for Jokic to build on his early successes as the Nuggets look to make another playoff push.

 

Eric Fenstermaker is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at esf5129@psu.edu.