With the end of the regular season about a month away, it’s time to start to consider the potential awards that are given out at the end of the year. Of course, the most important award given out each season is to the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Luckily for the Philadelphia 76ers, they have a player in this race.
This ladder will be coming out weekly and will be ranking the top five players who are competing for this award. If there is a Sixers player who falls out of the top five then the article for that week will include that player, but as an honorable mention.
With that in mind, let’s begin with this tight race for MVP.
The Philadelphia 76ers have the top candidate for MVP.
1. Joel Embiid: 29.7 PTS, 11.2 TRB, 4.3 AST, 1.1 STL, 1.4 BLK, 3.0 TOV, and 2.7 PF. 48.9% FG, 35.5% 3P, and 81.9% FT.
Since the beginning of 2022, Joel Embiid has had a hold on this award. He’s currently tied at second for having the most 40 points and 10 rebounds in 10 games in NBA history, only trailing Russell Westbrook and Moses Malone, per ESPN Stats and info. The only thing hurting Embiid is the narrative now that James Harden is on the team it hurts his chances.
2. Nikola Jokic: 26.1 PTS, 13.8 TRB, 8.1 AST, 1.3 STL, 0.8 BLK, 3.7 TOV, and 2.6 PF. 57.3% FG, 34.9% 3P, and 80.6% FT.
Last year’s winner of the award is closing in on Embiid’s number one spot with his fantastic season. Granted the Denver Nuggets are lower in the standings than the Sixers, but Nikola Jokic is missing his co-stars in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr which strengthens his case.
3. DeMar DeRozan: 28.1 PTS, 5.4 TRB, 5.1 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.3 BLK, 2.4 TOV, and 2.2 PF. 50.5% FG, 34.5% 3P, and 87.0% FT.
Despite a plethora of injuries to this pretty new Chicago Bulls roster throughout the season, DeMar DeRozan has kept this team afloat. He’s having the best season of his career after being stuck on the San Antonio Spurs for the past several seasons. On top of that, he broke a record set by Wilt Chamberlian this season.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 29.7 PTS, 11.5 TRB, 5.9 AST, 1.1 STL, 1.4 BLK, 3.2 TOV, and 3.2 PF. 54.9% FG, 30.6% 3P, and 71.9% FT.
Yes, the two-time winner of the award is back in the hunt for it. The Milwaukee Bucks are defending champions and despite the injury struggles they’ve dealt with, Giannis Antetokounmpo has kept this team in contention. He’s a two-way force and is already a top-five power forward of all-time.
5. Ja Morant: 27.7 PTS, 5.8 TRB, 6.7 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.4 BLK, 3.4 TOV, and 1.5 PF. 49.3% FG, 34.4% 3P, and 76.4% FT.
Let’s not forgot about the third year point guard in Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. He’s showing flashes of what Allen Iverson looked like in his prime except he’s even a better shooter and more athletic like a young Derrick Rose. Even if he doesn’t win it this year, he will be in the conversation for seasons to come.
As of now, the Philadelphia 76ers still have the front runner in this race. Agree or disagree? Comment below your thoughts.
