Shift in the Matrix: Confirmed MVP votes have Joel Embiid holding a commanding lead over Giannis and Jokic in the early stages

Well, this is certainly something I never thought I would be writing, but it looks like there has been a massive shift in the Matrix to begin the week, with Joel Embiid getting first place MVP votes from two people at The Ringer.
There’s a pretty cool Google Sheet making it’s rounds on Twitter that shows MVP voters that have stated in articles, tweets, or on television appearances who they would be voting for to win the 2022-23 NBA MVP.
According to the sheet, Joel Embiid has a confirmed 7 first place votes
- Stephen A. Smith: Joel Embiid
- Melissa Rohlin: Joel Embiid
- Rick Bucher: Joel Embiid
- Mike Wilbon: Joel Embiid
- Keith Pompey: Joel Embiid
- Bill Simmons: Joel Embiid
- Ryen Rusillo: Joel Embiid
Clearly, the shift in the matrix that I was referring to has to do with Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo from The Ringer voting for Joel Embiid to win the NBA MVP.
To no surprise, Michael Pena, another hack from The Ringer, who didn’t even have Embiid on his First Team All-NBA projections, voted for Nikola Jokic to win MVP for the third consecutive season.
Jalen Rose and Kendrick Perkins both selected Giannis Antetokounmpo so they have and will remain on our NBA Deep State Shit List with Pena. Joining them, will be some guy named Kevin Pelton from ESPN, who decided to vote Nikola Jokic.
To recap: Joel Embiid has a confirmed seven votes for NBA MVP. Giannis and Jokic both have two.
Will Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo be removed from the list?
No. lol.
There are plenty of more votes to go and who knows how legitimate this list actually is, so we’re not jumping to conclusions yet. I certainly didn’t fact check but if The Ringer votes shift to Embiid this year, then I like his chances to bring home the trophy.
Embiid and the Sixers will open up the NBA Playoffs at 1PM on Saturday at The Well against the Brooklyn Nets.