Kings center Domantas Sabonis and Sixers center Joel Embiid have been named the NBA’s players of the week, the league announced (via Twitter).
Sabonis averaged 20 points, 10.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1 steal in leading Sacramento to a 3-0 record last week. He shot 57.9% from the field and and 71.4% in the three games for the Kings, who are tied with Memphis for the second-best record in the West at 40-26.
Embiid had an outstanding week, averaging 38.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.8 blocks on .620/.500/.879 shooting in four games, all victories. Philadelphia has won five straight and are currently 45-22, the East’s No. 3 seed.
Sabonis has now won the West’s player of the week award twice this season, while Embiid has won three times in the East.
According to the NBA (Twitter link), the other nominees in the West were Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, Talen Horton-Tucker and Kawhi Leonard, while Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie, Zach LaVine and Donovan Mitchell were nominated in the East.
I know Jokic deserves to win, but I can see media pushing for Embiid with a narrative he plays better defense so his offense difference would create a compelling story.
Hopefully I’m wrong though.
He doesn’t deserve to win. Embiid is better on both sides of the court.
“He doesn’t deserve to win.”
It’s an award based on opinions. Lots of players deserve it. Only one can be selected. There is a difference.
Jokic is averaging a triple double, averages more boards (both defensive and offensive), more steals, has (much) better 2PT and 3PT percentages, and his team has a better record and will top the West. You could give it to Embiid and it wouldn’t be outrageous, but for me it’s not even close.
You aren’t wrong jojo is the mvp for that reason and a couple more codeine. Consider constant and consistent double, triple and yes quadruple teaming. The joker is guardable the African monster isn’t. You want money at the charity stripe,jojo. Mid range jumper jojo. Defense??? Bwaaaaaaaaaaàaaaaaaaaaaaaa Not close !
Jokic has cornered the market on the metrics. His game just spits out a higher WS, BPM, and VORP than Joel. I agree with Perk for once, he does do some stat padding. Whereas Embiids mindset is to dominate you on both ends. And head to head, Embiid all day over Jokic. If it were Sixers v Nuggets in the finals I think smart money goes Sixers. The premise of the Nuggets is to run the entire playmaking offense thru Jokic and it works he’s a very good passer, and their best player, but I think we know that Murray could run more of that offense too and they’d still be a top West regular season team.
There’s stat padding, Jokic just makes the right play.
It can be both. Taking less shots on purpose to drive up assists.
Yes, he makes the right play. And this is why he deserves the MVP.
Even head2head leans Jokic. But that isnt the differentiator. Embiid is simply in it for himself. Its hard to give the award to a one-man show, who has a mediocre team struggling through the weaker conference, over a team oriented center, who is leading the team with the best record in the stronger conference.
In it for himself…..you had deep conversations with Joel on his intentions??? Laughable
Weaker conference? Nuggets 14-9 against the east…. Philly 19-7 against the West including 1-0 vs Denver in a game where Embiid scored 47 and grabbed 18 boards
The one man show resides over in Colorado who leads his team in just about every countable statistic where as they spread the responsibilities around in Philadelphia.
Let me be clear though, there isn’t a team who wouldn’t want either big man on their squad. But when it comes to winning games I’ll take Embiid because he’s proven to be the difference maker in the league
Yeah, me and Joel go way back, we’re besties… what are you talking about?
Although I’m not in his head, I have seen year after year, this guy chokes. He tries to do it all by himself, can’t get it done, and then points the finger at anyone and everyone else.
That is why Jokic, Giannis, Curry or Tatum will be MVP. It takes more than what he’s got to be a Champ, so the league won’t waste its most prestigious award on this loser.
It doesn’t lean Jokic when they actually face off head 2 head lol. And I’m not campaigning for E(MVP)iid. I would give it to Giannis personally
Ok. Looked it up… 7 games.. 1st 3 to Embiid, 4th to Jokic, then Embiid, then Jokic, the last one Embiid. So, I guess… but it really seems to be going back and forth to me. In the meantime Jokic is winning MVPs :)
You do realize that when you call a player of Embiid’s caliber a “loser” you lose all credibility. Nobody is calling Jokic a loser or play off his name and call him a “joke”. He’s a fine player and worthy of his mvp awards. Nobody would bat an eye if it had been Embiid or Giannis.
I also wonder if you realize that all Joel has accomplished has been done without full health. Ever. Couldn’t even play first year and a half. Not a loser pal….he’s a baller.
Sabonis was on pace for a 20/20/20 the other night until the refs decided to do what they do. It’s to bad so many guys are putting up Michael Jordan’s best year cause Domas legitimately is the actual most valuable player to a team. Fox is unreal but if Domas actually missed time , real time, the kings would struggle mightily. Remember this before people blow this off totally. He broke his hand.. missed 2 games, came back with no regard to his hand because we all knew what would happen.