If only Joel Embiid hadn’t sealed his claim to the 2023 MVP award before the end of the regular season, Magic Johnson is here to seal it for him after the Sixers’ 7-footer helped them go ahead 3-0 in the opening round of the Playoffs.
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Both Embiid and Nikola Jokic, the two frontrunners of the KIA MVP Race have struggled to be their usual selves since the start of the postseason. However, the Cameroonian’s dominance on the defensive side of the ball is proving why he edges The Joker as a better basketball player.
Magic Johnson presents a case for why Joel Embiid is the MVP of the league
Embiid who had been averaging over 33 points per game in the regular season, breaking records with his multiple 40 and 50-point games, has managed just 20 points per game in the first three games of the postseason.
But it is his efforts on the other side of the court that has led Philly to a 3rd place finish in the East and a 3-0 lead in the series against a troubling Nets team. And for that same reason, Magic Johnson still has Embiid as the most valuable player in the league.
“With his game winning blocked shot, Joel Embiid showed why he is the MVP of the NBA. He can beat you on both ends of the court unlike any other center in the league!” Johnson Tweeted after Sixers’ 102-97 victory.
With his game winning blocked shot, Joel Embiid showed why he is the MVP of the NBA. He can beat you on both ends of the court unlike any other center in the league!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 21, 2023
With his 20 points per game, the 76ers’ center is averaging also over 11 rebounds, a steal, and 2 blocks in each of the 3 playoff games yet. One of those 7 blocks came right at the end of Game 3 when the Nets could have made a comeback in the game and the series following it.
Jokic on the other hand hasn’t helped his team one bit on defense in two games thus far.
