“Joel Embiid will hurt LeBron James’s chances at MVP”: Skip Bayless chastizes Lakers star for causing back problems to Sixers big man in their loss

Skip Bayless takes to Twitter to say that Joel Embiid might hurt LeBron James’s chances at claiming his 5th league MVP. 

The Philadelphia 76ers faced off against the Chicago Bulls last night and Joel Embiid completely took over the game to lead the Sixers to a 112-105 victory. He dropped a career high 50 points while also hitting the dagger fadeaway from the left corner to ice it for the 76ers. 

The Sixers currently hold the best record in the Eastern Conference at 20-10 and Joel Embiid further strengthens his case for claiming his first-ever MVP. The NBA released their updated MVP ladder yesterday and it featured LeBron James residing atop the ladder. Joel Embiid is right on the Lakers star’s coattails in second place. 

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Reminiscent of the 2017 MVP race, there are a plethora of legitimate MVP candidates this 2020-21 NBA season. For most however, it is LeBron James and Joel Embiid that are neck-and-neck with one another to snag MVP honors. 

Skip Bayless says LeBron James’s MVP chances are in trouble because of Joel Embiid

Skip Bayless took to Twitter following last night’s Sixers win to rave about Embiid’s performance. 

“If Joel Embiid stays healthy, LeBron’s MVP chances are in trouble. Embiid says his back still bothers him from that cheapshot shove LeBron gave him in midair. Might just get even with an MVP.” 

If Joel Embiid stays healthy, LeBron’s MVP chances are in trouble. Tonight: 50 pts, 17 rebounds. 15-17 free throws. Yet Embiid says his back still bothers him from that uncharacteristic cheapshot shove LeBron gave him in midair, causing a long fall. Might just get even w an MVP.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 20, 2021

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The cheap shot Bayless is referring to is the one LeBron James gave Joel back in late January when the Sixers faced the Lakers. Embiid was coming up from the weak-side for a wide-open shot at the rim. James came out of nowhere and shoved Embiid mid-air, causing the big man to fall flat on his back.

LeBron with a foul on Embiid who goes down hard 😳pic.twitter.com/buqvtyzb0a

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 28, 2021

The 7-footer claims that he deals with backaches even now, nearly 3 weeks since the incident. It didn’t seem like his performance was hindered by this lingering back pain however as Embiid cruised to a career 50 points on 65% shooting from the field and going 15-17 from the charity stripe.