The NBA MVP contest for 2022–2023 is one of the most exciting in recent memory. As the season comes to a close, the battle between Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic of Denver, and Giannis Antetokoumpo of Milwaukee is heating. Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers has an advantage over Jokic and Antetokoumpo, according to two-time MVP winner Stephen Curry (2015, 2016).
The last two MVP honours went to Nuggets centre Jokic, who is attempting to become the first player in over 40 years to win it four times in a row. And in 2019 and 2020, Antetokounmpo won it twice. According to ESPN, the Bucks coach recently declared that the Greek was the MVP because of his versatility and how he led the team to the best record in the NBA. Together with 11.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and a career-high 31.1 points on 55% shooting, he is also averaging a career-high.
Embiid hopes to finally win his first MVP title after he has placed second in the prior two seasons’ MVP votes. In the most recent NBA MVP ladder, Jokic is first, followed by Embiid and Antetokounmpo, who are ranked second and third, respectively.
Curry’s Take on the MVP Race
While acknowledging the outstanding campaigns his other competitors are having, he claims that Embiid has the advantage.
In his words”I would say Joel [Embiid],” Curry said. “Any person you pick, their body of work could be compared to [Nikola] Jokić or Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. But Joel took a leap that I think a lot of people didn’t expect because he was dominant already…That leap turned heads and put [the Philadelphia 76ers] in a great position. If I had to pick, it would be him
In 62 games this season, the 28-year-old is averaging 33.0 points on 54.2% shooting, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. The 76ers have earned a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference under his leadership. Jokic, the current MVP, averages a close-to triple-double of 24.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 9.9 assists.
Will Embiid finally take home the prize?
cc: SportsBrief
