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Why Joel Embiid is (and is not) the NBA MVP this season

By Jack Simone

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Why Joel Embiid is (and is not) the NBA MVP this season
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 17: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts to an officials call during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 17, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Why Joel Embiid is (and is not) the NBA MVP this season. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The NBA MVP race is one of the most talked-about award races in all of professional sports. And this year, there are about eight different players who have a case to win it.

While some consider Joel Embiid to be the favorite, others think Nikola Jokic deserves the award. Cases can be made for guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry, too.

So with the season entering the second half of the year, why not start taking a look at some of the top cases to win the award? What are some of the main reasons these players should (and should not win) win the NBA MVP?

Let’s start with who many consider to be the frontrunner to win the award – Embiid. What are two reasons he deserves to win it and one reason he doesn’t?

Also. NBA MVP Ladder - Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. light

Why Joel Embiid is (and is not) the NBA MVP this season: Why – Dominance

This is by far the most obvious reason, and one that probably doesn’t even need to be said, but let’s mention it anyway – Joel Embiid has been absolutely dominant this season.

He is now leading the league in scoring (29.6 points), tied for seventh in rebounds (11.2 rebounds), and can do a little bit of everything when on the court.

There’s no one in the NBA who can guard him right now, and while some teams can certainly slow him down, those games are far and few in between.

As Embiid said himself, he’s like prime Shaquille O’Neal with the handles of a guard. While he may not be quite at Shaq’s level yet, he’s certainly getting there.