Joel Embiid is often ranked among the top five NBA players currently; he has proven his dominance on both offense and defense. Yet, it wasn't until a standout 2022–2023 season that he truly added to his accolades. That season, Embiid claimed his second scoring title, got a spot on the All-NBA First Team, and took home his first MVP award. Despite these achievements, he has yet to reach the conference finals and has not earned an All-Defensive First Team nod, even as one of the league's premier centers. At 30 years old, there's still room for Embiid to elevate his legacy, but his history of injuries has been a persistent hurdle.
The Philadelphia 76ers superstar’s situation is becoming a case of a player whose on-court achievements don’t quite match his immense talent. Former All-Star and podcaster Gilbert Arenas suggests that the center might be his own biggest obstacle, needing to push himself further—whether that's by taking the reins to lead his team to a championship or maintaining peak fitness throughout the season.
“Embiid is no different than some of the most talented players we have ever seen,” Arenas said on “The OGs.” “They are so talented that they don’t jump into the next category, right? Why do I need to get in top shape if I’m averaging 35 and 15? It’s too easy for him.”
The competition is tough
Just like Embiid, Nikola Jokic is easily in the conversation for the NBA's top five players. The debate surrounding these two giants isn't just about who's better on the court but also about their MVP-worthiness in recent seasons.
Jokic and Embiid have dominated the MVP race, with the Serbian bagging three of the last four MVP trophies, while No. 21 has taken home one. Despite his accolades and talents, JoJo’s case for multiple MVPs might have been stronger had he led his team to deeper playoff runs or won a championship. As Arenas points out, this is where Joker seems to have the upper hand.
“But that’s the argument, right?” Arenas added. “One is super talented; one has better habits, right… if I had to pick one, if I got to win a championship, I’m going with Jokic [over Embiid].”
The Nikola vs. Joel debate often circles back to durability and fitness, but that’s just scratching the surface of the conversation. The Serb has showcased his ability to take control in the postseason, something Embiid is still chasing. While The Process' MVP win in the 2022-2023 season might have tipped the scales in his favor for some, Jokic’s legendary playoff performance that year quickly quieted those doubters, elevating his game when it matters most, which solidified his place as a postseason powerhouse.
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Embiid downsides
Durability and fitness have been a persistent problem for Embiid throughout his time in the NBA. He missed his first two years due to injury, and since he finally made his debut in 2016, The Kansas product has suited up for only 433 regular season games.
In contrast, Jokic has been a model of consistency, appearing in 675 games over the same period. The fewest games No. 15 has played in a season were in 2022-2023, where he still managed to play 69 games, and it turned out to be a championship-winning year for him. During the 2023 NBA Finals, Jokic averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists across five games. On the flip side, the Cameronian native is the only regular-season MVP in history to have never reached that stage in his career.
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