Sixers' Joel Embiid Focused On 'Right Things,' Not MVP

Joel Embiid would like to win MVP, but he's got his sights set on the playoffs.

Who’s the MVP of the NBA? Is it the two-time runner-up Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers? Or will the Denver Nuggets' big man Nikola Jokic make it a three-peat and take home the hardware once again? 

As the race winds down, debates are heating up. 

But Joel Embiid isn’t trying to get caught up in that noise this season.

“The last few years have been whatever,” Embiid told TNT’s Chris Haynes after the Sixers dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves to wrap up a five-game road trip on Tuesday. 

“This year, I’ve taken a different approach,” he continued.

The Sixers’ seven-footer has felt slighted when it comes to the MVP race over the last couple of years for multiple reasons. He even admitted that he felt disrespected by the All-Star voting results as he was initially left out of the starting pool before getting upgraded as an injury replacement.

While the feeling of getting slighted has gotten to Embiid over time, he’s seemingly shifting his priorities as the 2022-2023 season reaches the final stretch. 

“Focus on the right things, win games, dominate, which I’ve been doing,” said Embiid. “Whatever happens, happens.”

Embiid was in good spirits on Tuesday as he got the night off early. After the Sixers walloped the Timberwolves with a 117-94 win, the big man was by far the most dominant player on the floor as he scored 39 points in 28 minutes of action.

As the Sixers wrapped up their tough five-game road stand with a 4-1 record, Embiid acknowledged his own dominance as he averaged 36 points while shooting nearly 60 percent from the field and consistently being a defensive force down low in the four games he played. 

Would Embiid boycott a ceremony to accept an MVP trophy? Not exactly. But if the award doesn’t come his way, he doesn’t believe it’ll affect him much because he’s got his sights set on the postseason, where there is pressure on the Sixers to make it farther than ever in the Embiid era.

“Obviously, who wouldn’t want to win one? That’s the best award anyone can get,” Embiid said. “Like I said, I’m just focused on staying healthy, winning games, and dominating. I’m excited about the playoffs. That’s where I feel like…. I feel good! I feel good about myself and my team. I just want to make sure that all of us get there healthy and do what we got to do.”

The Sixers have 17 games left in the regular season. Being that they are placed third in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers are bound to make the playoffs once again. Now, the pressure is on for them to go beyond the second round. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.