The NBA has announced that Joel Embiid, the six-time All-Star center for the Philadelphia 76ers, has been named the 2022-23 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player. This makes Embiid the fifth 76er ever to capture league MVP honors, joining the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Allen Iverson, and Moses Malone in that illustrious club. He is also the seventh international player to be named MVP since the award’s inception.
Embiid led the NBA in scoring for the second consecutive season, averaging 33.1 points per game, which puts him in the same league as Wilt Chamberlain as the only 76ers ever to post an average of 33-plus points in a season. He also became the first NBA player to win consecutive scoring titles since teammate James Harden (who achieved three straight in the years 2017-20) and the first 76er to do so since Hall of Famer Allen Iverson (2000-02).
Moreover, Embiid led the 76ers to a 54-28 regular season, the team’s best showing since 2000-01. The Philadelphia team is currently in the midst of an Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Boston Celtics.
Managing Partner Josh Harris expressed his pride in Embiid’s achievement as an MVP, saying, “Joel overcame adversity at the start of his career with a combination of perseverance and grit, and now, his intense work ethic has pushed him into the NBA history books.” Co-Managing Partner David Blitzer was also excited to see Embiid add to the list of the greatest players ever to wear a 76ers’ uniform.
In addition to his scoring accomplishments, this season also saw Embiid add 10.2 rebounds per game and a career-high 54.8% shooting from the floor. Defensively, he posted 1.7 blocks (seventh in the NBA) and 1.0 steals per outing, making him and Jaren Jackson Jr. the only two players in the league this season to achieve 1.5 or more blocks and 1.0 or more steals.
Head Coach Doc Rivers lauded Embiid’s drive to improve and his trust in his teammates, saying, “While this may be an individual award, in many ways it’s also a team award. Joel’s teammates have been unbelievable in contributing to his success.” President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey added, “It has been a privilege to watch Joel over the last three seasons and I know this won’t be his last accomplishment as we continue to strive toward our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.”
To celebrate Embiid’s win, the Philadelphia 76ers posted an Instagram video that you can check out below:
Image: © Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
