NBA MVP Ladder: Joel Embiid leapfrogs Jayson Tatum into the No. 2 spot in latest update
Joel Embiid has jumped a spot in the latest Kia Race to the MVP rankings into the No. 2 spot, trailing only Nikola Jokic.
While Jokic has led the Denver Nuggets to first place in the Western Conference standings at 34-15, Embiid and the 76ers have quietly moved up the standings in the East, and now currently hold the second best record in the conference at 31-16. The Sixers also have the longest current win streak in the NBA at six games, and will host the Nuggets tomorrow in South Philadelphia. Â
Oh, and here’s something that makes absolutely zero sense…
Embiid was snubbed on a spot in the starting lineup for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team last night while again, sitting in second place in the NBA MVP Ladder. That makes perfect sense, right?
Well no, not really. However here in Philadelphia, we’re used to getting zero respect for our athletes and as a fanbase, so there’s really no point in worrying about a stupid All-Star game. If I was Joel Embiid, I would just boycott the All-Star game all together and run a mic’d up practice with James Harden at the Wells Fargo Center. That sounds more entertaining than whatever the NBA has going on. But anyways…
Joel Embiid No. 2 in latest NBA MVP Ladder
Joel Embiid swapped spots on the ladder with Celtics’ Jayson Tatum after sitting at No. 3 in last week’s rankings. In the month of January, Embiid is averaging 34 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in eight games while shooting 54/39/90.
More on Jokic and Embiid from ESPN
While Jokic is nearly averaging a triple-double at 25.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG and 9.9 APG, Embiid counters by leading the NBA in scoring as part of his 33.4 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.1 APG statline. Jokic has an absurd signature game of the season thus far with a 40-point, 27-rebound, 10-assist triple-double. But again, Embiid matches that with a just as memorable 59-point, 11-rebound, 8-assist, 7-blocks performance.
They Hate The Process, but if you’ve been paying attention, you knew that already.
The Sixers are back-in-action tomorrow against the Nuggets.
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