Where Joel Embiid, Sixers Received Votes in NBA Players Poll

It’s NBA award season. As the 2023 NBA Playoffs persist, the solo end-of-year awards are being handed out one by one.

As Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers patiently wait for the never-ending MVP race to conclude with results in their favor for the first time, NBA players are showing support for the Sixers’ big man as we wait for the final decision.

Weeks back, Golden State Warriors superstar and former MVP winner Stephen Curry noted that he would choose Embiid to win MVP.

This week, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant made the same pick, acknowledging that he believes Embiid should be a two-time winner for the MVP award this season, as he chose Embiid to win it last year as well.

In an anonymous players poll put together by The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Josh Robbins, Embiid was described as a “landslide” winner if it were up to these 102 unnamed players.

“He’s just super dominant on both ends of the floor. He does a great job of both protecting his team on the defensive end but also scoring on the offensive end. Jokić, I love, but his numbers are a little bit inflated just because (of) the usage rate he has in terms of how he plays the game.”

Embiid received 50 percent of the votes. The two-time MVP winner Nikola Jokic received 25 percent, while the Milwaukee Bucks big man Giannis Antetokoumpo received 15 percent of the vote.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic received votes as well.

Beyond the MVP award, where else were the Sixers acknowledged?

Joel Embiid’s Defense

Now a two-time scoring champion in the NBA, Embiid’s mostly known for his ability to dominate on the offensive end. His value on the defensive end is something that can easily be overlooked for two reasons.

One, the offense tends to overshadow it. Two, Embiid admits that his defense doesn’t reach its peak until later on in the year.

Still, Embiid received some love in the best defender poll. While Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday ran away with the title, receiving 28 percent of the votes, Embiid tied with names such as Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton, and Kawhi Leonard, landing two percent of the votes in the poll.

Seen As Overrated

The good news for the Sixers is none of their guys received multiple votes in the most overrated player category. However, Tobias Harris garnered one of the 54 votes. The veteran forward’s contract probably has something to do with it.

A few years back, the Sixers rewarded Harris with a max contract. Basically, Harris is getting paid All-Star money, but has a hard time producing like one since he’s often viewed as the fourth option for the Sixers when they’re at full strength.

It’s been difficult for Harris to shake the “overrated” label in Philadelphia since he signed his deal ahead of the 2019-2020 season, but the Sixers have appreciated what he’s brought to the table even as adjustments forced a role switch for him.

Conflicting Opinions on the Fans

The Wells Fargo Center was voted seventh for having the worst fans in the NBA. Then on the next poll, they were voted fifth for having the best fans.

Based on one of the quotes regarding the former category, it seems visiting players might hold the opinion that Philly fans are considered the worst because of the way they are tough on the home team’s players.

While Philly fans won’t change anytime soon, that’s an understandable sentiment from an outsider. Either way, Philly fans can celebrate the fact that they were voted in the top five for having the best fans in the NBA. One player regarded Sixers fans as “the craziest group.” It’s definitely not easy to win in South Philadelphia if you’re a visitor.

Any Elite Trash Talkers?

If you told somebody back in 2016 that Joel Embiid wasn’t recognized as one of the NBA’s biggest trash-talkers, nobody would believe you. After spending a few seasons in the NBA, Embiid vowed to tone down his trash talk.

While the trash talker in the big man shows its face every now and then, Embiid only received two percent of the 99 votes to acknowledge the league’s trash-talking champion. Sixers veteran forward Georges Niang also received a vote, which comes as no surprise.

Eastern Conference Scoreboard

1. Bucks vs. 8. Heat — Heat Lead 1-0

2. Celtics vs. 7. Hawks — Celtics Lead 2-0

3. Sixers vs. 6. Nets — Sixers Lead 2-0

4. Cavaliers vs. 5. Knicks — Series Tied 1-0