Philadelphia 76ers: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

4. Joel Embiid will finish top 5 in MVP voting

After a tease the season prior with 31 games, Embiid displayed exactly why the Sixers had been so patient and meticulous during his arduous rehabilitation period.

The 24-year-old appeared in 63 games in 2017-18, and would’ve appeared in more if it weren’t for a freakish facial fracture sustained late in the season. In his time on the floor, the native of Cameroon posted 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks in just 30.3 minutes per game. Selected to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, the Sixers were a whopping 11.8 points per 100 possessions better off when the 7’2″ Embiid was on the floor.

Incredibly, his stellar output last season was on the back of a very limited preparation, as Embiid was virtually in rehabilitation mode throughout the entire offseason. Furthermore, his practice time throughout the course of the season was virtually non-existent.

Recently, coach Brown commented on Embiid’s offseason work:

Still just 24 and having barely scratched the surface of his potential, Embiid seems primed to further establish himself as one of the most dominant big men in the league. Despite his limited preparation last season, Embiid finished 12th in MVP voting, receiving five fifth place votes.

Granted, moving into the top-five in MVP voting represents a huge leap, and places Embiid into the absolute upper echelon of players in the league. However, since he first stepped foot on an NBA floor, Embiid’s impact has been simply phenomenal. With the Sixers’ core returning following a full season together, it’s understandable that Embiid’s overall output is only going to increase.

If he can stay on the court for at least 70 games and the Sixers continue their climb up the standings, it’s more than feasible that Embiid could shoot up into the top-five in MVP voting.