Joel Embiid scoffs at the MVP race - "I don't care if I'm going to lose it again, because of games played or whatever ... I don't care"
Joel Embiid has been a force this season, averaging 33.3 ppg on 54.5% shooting, 10.2 rpg and 4.2 apg.
In two straight losses, the Philadelphia 76ers had to the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns, Embiid averaged 37.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg and 6.0 apg. But Joel Embiid doesn't care about stats, playoff seedings or even raising the MVP trophy. He said:
"It’s going to be hard to get the No. 1 seed or No. 2 seed. So it’s all about making sure that we’re all healthy for the playoffs. I don’t care if I’m going to lose it again, because of games played or whatever. I don’t care."
With only eight games remaining for Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers (49-25, third in the East), health is the No. 1 priority for the team moving forward.
Joel Embiid's MVP case and championship aspirations
The NBA MVP race has been close for two months with Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic playing some of the best basketball of their careers. However, due to the Nuggets' inconsistent play as of late, and Joel Embiid leading his team to an eight-game winning streak recently, the six-time All-Star is the MVP frontrunner right now.
The Philadelphia 76ers are trying to end the season strongly. It has been a struggle to close out games for Embiid and the 76ers without their 10-time All-Star guard James Harden, who has been sidelined due to inflammation and soreness in his left Achilles.
Coach Doc Rivers said this regarding Harden's injury, along with Danuel House Jr. (shoulder) and Jalen McDaniels (right hip) being sidelined as well:
"Yeah, they’re not 100%. It’s not worth the risk. This is not even rocket science. … If it was a playoff game, everyone plays, you know? So, yeah, this is not difficult. This is not us sitting in a room flipping a coin. These are very easy decisions for us."
With injuries to the roster and the playoffs looming, Embiid has his priorities set:
"It’s all about the playoffs. Being in the MVP race, I told you, I don’t care. If I win, good. If I don’t, it’s whatever. That’s not where my focus is."
While Embiid has experienced numerous second-round exits in his career, he will look to change that pattern this season.
Stats are great, and so is winning the MVP. However, for the majority of players in the league, nothing compares to making a deep playoff run to reach the NBA Finals and winning it all.