Joel Embiid Commends 76ers Fans After Winning MVP Award

Joel Embiid thanked the Philadelphia fans for pushing him to get the MVP award.

On Tuesday night, Joel Embiid was named the 2023 NBA MVP, beating out the Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, who had won the award for the previous two seasons, as well as the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Embiid earned the award after his most productive season in his career, averaging 33 points per game on 55 percent shooting, while also grabbing ten boards per game, with his average points leading the league for the second straight season.

The momentous award shouldn't have come as too much of a surprise, given the multiple Player of the Month awards the Cameroonian superstar earned throughout the season.

On Wednesday, prior to the second game of the Sixers' series against the Boston Celtics, the newly named MVP sat down with NBC Sports Philadelphia to discuss the award.

One of the groups Embiid touched on was the Sixers' fans, who he was more than appreciative of due to their commitment throughout the season.

"I see everything. I see all the work they do, whether it's on Twitter to push and always fight for their guys, to fight for what they believe in," said Embiid.

While the fans can be supportive of the MVP and his teammates, they also keep them in check when things aren't working out, with the criticism being something Embiid doesn't just brush off.

"Then there's the other side, that when you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing, they're going to let you know about it," explained Embiid. "For me, it helps me because it makes me understand that you're not playing good, you actually have to be better."

Even with the critics amongst the fans, Embiid is more than appreciative for all that they do, whenever they've done it. 

"So I'm thankful for the support and all of the pushing they've done all these years."

Declan Harris contributes to All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him on Twitter: @DecIanH.

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