Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr. Tweets MVP Case For 76ers' Joel Embiid

Houston Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. took to Twitter to showcase why 76ers' star big man Joel Embiid should be named the 2022-23 league MVP winner.

HOUSTON — Houston Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. will have to wait before he experiences the post-season. But Smith, just like the rest of basketball fans, spent the weekend enjoying the start of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Smith was in awe by the great performance of Joel Embiid, who led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 134-105 Game 1 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. During the game, Smith tweeted his support as to why Embiid should win his first MVP award by stating, "He is the MVP. They trapping every time he touches the ball! Let's be real y'all."

The two-time NBA scoring champion finished the day with a team-high 26 points on 46.7 percent shooting and five rebounds in the win.

He is the MVP. THEY TRAPPING EVERY TIME HE TOUCHES THE BALLLL! 😂😂😂let’s be real y’all

— Jabari Smith Jr (@jabarismithjr) April 15, 2023

Smith understands the struggles the Nets faced when trying to defend Embiid. Despite finishing their two-game regular-season series tied at a game apiece, Embiid dominated the Rockets by averaging 31.0 points on .571/.500/.912 shooting splits, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals.

Embiid's best performance against the Rockets came on Dec. 5 in a nine-point double-overtime loss inside the Toyota Center. 

He scored a game-high 39 points on 12-for-21 shooting and seven rebounds before fouling out. Smith contributed to Houston's victory with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Embiid is a top-3 finalist to take home the 2022-23 MVP award alongside former winners Giannis Antetokounmpo (2019 & 2020) and Nikola Jokic (2021 & 2022).

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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