Joel Embiid has been registering staggering numbers this season and after yet another breathtaking display against LA Clippers, Ben Simmons believes that the power forward is the MVP for the ongoing season.
Philadelphia 76ers ended Los Angeles Clippers’ 7-game winning run and extended their lead atop the Eastern Conference table. Joel Embiid scored 36 points and 14 rebounds in their narrow 106-103 win over their Western Conference counterparts.
Embiid shot 10-for-20 from the floor and he was 16-for-18 from the foul line, which led to Ben Simmons claim that the opposition are unsure how to guard the player.
The Cameroonian player’s exploits had a minor halt when he suffered an injury on March 13 against Washington Wizards.
He has been his same self ever since returning and his season numbers as of now reads, 29.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
“I don’t think teams really know what to do when guarding him. I think he’s clearly the MVP this season. He’s been so dominant and consistent this whole year and he’s been healthy which has been great for us. So, I don’t know how to stop him.” Simmons said following the win
Simmons not the only figure touting Embiid for MVP
Averaging 34.5 points and 11.0 rebounds over the last four games, the MVP conversation has circulated back at him. During his absence Nikola Jokic had climbed up the ladder for the coveted prize.
Despite the win that takes them further apart from Brooklyn Nets in the table, the 76ers were not happy with their defensive display at the Wells Fargo Center.
“Schematically, we had some mistakes,” said coach Doc Rivers. “They were running the pick-and-roll up to the top. We’re supposed to show, we kept getting tangled up, and their guy kept slipping loose or rolling, and it really hurt us.”
“The good news is we won the game, we can work on it, but we made mistakes that we don’t make in pick-and-roll coverage and we did over and over,” Rivers finished.
The Eastern Conference leaders will next face the in-form Golden State Warriors after a two-day break.
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