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76ers’ James Harden Gifts MVP Joel Embiid With Rolex

James Harden gave Joel Embiid an MVP gift on Wednesday.
Justin Grasso|
76ers’ James Harden Gifts MVP Joel Embiid With Rolex
76ers’ James Harden Gifts MVP Joel Embiid With Rolex

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Philadelphia 76ers

James Harden was proud to see his teammate Joel Embiid win the 2023 NBA MVP award on Tuesday night in Boston.

As the Philadelphia 76ers crowded around a TV at their team hotel to watch NBA on TNT broadcast the official announcement, the Sixers learned that their six-time All-Star big man was voted as the league’s Most Valuable Player for the first time in his career.

Embiid’s teammates chanted MVP while cheering. Within seconds, James Harden ran over to the big man to give him a hug and offer some words of encouragement.

On Wednesday, Harden also gifted Embiid with a Rolex with “23 MVP” engraved on the back.

Before Embiid was gifted with a watch from Harden, he praised the ten-time All-Star guard for helping him achieve the award this season.

“Since he’s been here, I think he won’t tell me that, but I think he kind of made his goal for me to be the MVP,” Embiid said during his MVP press conference. “He’s given up a lot. I’ve always said it; he’s the best playmaker that I’ve probably ever played with and is the best playmaker probably in the NBA. He’s been helping me as far as getting me easy opportunities, whether it’s scoring the ball or being a better basketball player on and off the court.”

Embiid was already an MVP candidate over the last two years before Harden joined the organization. Unfortunately, Embiid finished as the runner-up during those seasons.

With a full season playing alongside Harden, Embiid once again led the NBA in scoring by averaging 33 points per game. Meanwhile, Harden led the NBA in assists per game, averaging 11 in the assist column. 

The big man has been dominant with and without Harden, but he felt the former MVP helped him level up this season. Now, Embiid adds the MVP award to his own resume and received a shiny gift from his top playmaker along with his trophy. 

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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