NBA MVP Ladder Week 24: A new name enters the fray

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 29: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards as Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center on March 29, 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) /

4 of 6

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 29: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers is guarded by Wesley Matthews #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on March 29, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, NBA MVP Ladder Week 24: A new name enters the fray. 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) /

Week 24 NBA MVP Ladder: 3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Rank last week: 3

Pts/Rebs/Asts/Stls/Blks: 29.9/11.4/4.3/1.2/1.4

FG%/3P%/FT%: 48.9/36.4/81.6

Off EPM / Def EPM: +5.8/+1.9

Joel Embiid has fallen to a distant third in these MVP rankings, although ESPN’s most recent straw poll of MVP still has him as a clear second behind Jokic and ahead of Giannis (more on that later).

The Philadelphia 76ers continue to perplex, and their performance on Tuesday night against Milwaukee (blowing a lead yet again) was another weight dragging down Embiid’s MVP case.

MVPs almost always have shining moments against big-name opponents. While Embiid has done an admirable job of dragging the 76ers near the top of the Eastern Conference standings, the team’s struggles after the recent addition of James Harden have put a damper on his narrative at the worst possible time.

So much of the MVP vote comes down to timing. If Harden had been added to the team in the preseason and they initially struggled before coming together for a massive run to arrive at the exact same record, there’s little doubt in my mind that Embiid would be the media’s choice for MVP.

Alas, the team’s struggles against the league’s elite despite the trade for a fellow superstar cast doubt upon the team’s championship chances, which (perhaps unfairly) penalizes Embiid.