Are NBA MVP voters biased against Joel Embiid or 76ers players in general?
Embiid himself seems to think so.
Asked again about the prospect of losing out on the award on the heels of his career year -- including yet another dominant performance on Sunday -- Embiid suggested the playing field may not be level for him.
"If it happens, great," Embiid said. "If it doesn't, I don't know what I have to do. I'll feel like they hate me. I feel like the standard for guys in Philly or for me is different than everyone else."
The comments came after Embiid went off against the Cavaliers for 44 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 blocks and 1 steal. According to ESPN, it was Embiid's 11th game of at least 40 points and 10 rebounds this season, leaving him only one such game shy of the record shared by Karl Malone and Russell Westbrook.
Embiid was considered the favorite to bring home the hardware earlier this season, but appears to have been passed by Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, the league's reigning MVP.
With only a few games left in the season, most sports books seem to have shifted to Jokic as the odds-on favorite to repeat as MVP, with Embiid next up in most cases. Also in the mix is Bucks star and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
As well, an ESPN straw poll published last week had Jokic winning, followed by Embiid and Giannis.
Embiid, who turned 28 last month, is enjoying arguably his finest season, averaging 30 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.1 steals and 33.6 minutes in 65 games.
While Embiid outpaces Jokic in points and blocks, Jokic has the edge in rebounds, assists, steals and field-goal percentage.
In terms of what they mean to their respective teams, both players' massive impact is undeniable. Embiid carried the Sixers for much of the season without the benefit of a second star-caliber player amid the Ben Simmons saga. Jokic has done the same with point guard Jamal Murray sidelined all year due to a knee injury.
On Monday morning, the teams held similar positions in their respective conference standings, with the Sixers (48-30) in fourth place and the Nuggets (47-32) in fifth. Jokic had missed seven of his team's 79 games, while Embiid sat for 13 of the Sixers' 78 contests.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram