(Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
It seems like yesterday the Sixers were in the midst of their tanking. They were tanking so they would have the chance to select talents like Joel Embiid in the NBA draft. When they selected Embiid, everyone knew he had potential to become one of the leagues best. However, after missing his first two seasons, a lot of people didn’t know what to expect once he finally hit the court. Three years after his debut, it is clear what the Sixers have. He has become the most valuable player in the NBA and in the city of Philadelphia.
When I say he is the NBA’s most valuable player, I say that knowing either Giannis or Paul George will win the actual MVP award this season. I, like many others, don’t need to see Embiid hold the trophy as proof he really is the leagues most valuable player. Yesterday’s game against the Pacers should tell you all you need to know. With a huge lift from Embiid, the Sixers took the season series from the Pacers and now sit in the all important three seed in the eastern conference.
While Embiid was out the last eight games, the Sixers were treading water at 4-4. They barely looked like a playoff team without him out there. With him, they can challenge and beat any team in the NBA. Yesterday, he dominated and wore down Turner, Sabonis, and Thad Young. You can look at all the advanced stats and they will tell you just what Embiid means to this team when he’s on the floor.
At the end of the day, Philly is Embiid’s city. Everybody loves Carson Wentz and everyone is pumped about Harper coming to the Phillies. However, make no mistake about it, the most influential and most important athlete in Philadelphia is Joel “The Process” Embiid.
