A career-high 50 points from Joel Embiid will do the trick in the MVP discussion.
The 76ers defeated the Chicago Bulls despite the surprising absence of Ben Simmons, who was deemed out with an illness pregame. Without his robin, Embiid was called upon for a little extra production and he delivered.
Embiid put up a 50 burger, paired with 17 rebounds in an elite performance 76ers fans will remember for quite some time. While it’s a little early in the season to be talking MVP rankings, Embiid is arguably leading the pack with LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Steph Curry and Damian Lillard closely following. Even that list is sure to anger some basketball fans.
NBA fans are making Joel Embiid’s MVP case for him
The basketball Twitterverse was incredibly impressed with Embiid’s performance.
only 50/17/5/4 for Joel Embiid tonight.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 20, 2021
Joel Embiid tonight:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 20, 2021
50 PTS (career-high)
17 REB
5 AST
2 STL
4 BLK
He is the first Sixer with a 50/15/5 game since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. pic.twitter.com/mUn4TK52Ix
What a night for Joel Embiid!
— Did The Sixers Win? (@DidTheSixersWin) February 20, 2021
50 PTS
17 REBS
5 ASTS
4 BLOCKS
2 STEALS
17/26 FG
14/15 FT
W
MVP. pic.twitter.com/S2cF4p8FMp
i'll never forget how rude people were when joel embiid cried after the 2019 game 7 loss and now he's the mvp favorite. moral of the story is men: cry. it works
— haley (@haleyosomething) February 20, 2021
"50-piece McNugget" for Embiid 😂@tobias31 @JoelEmbiid pic.twitter.com/47sH9T6OWH
— ESPN (@espn) February 20, 2021
Joel Embiid is 275 pound Hakeem Olajuwon!!! His footwork is some of the best I’ve ever seen for a Big man. Carry on...
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 20, 2021
Joel Embiid is the first Sixers player with a 50-Pt game since Allen Iverson in 2005 🔔🙌 pic.twitter.com/0fyMgHv7p4
— ESPN (@espn) February 20, 2021
If Joel Embiid stays healthy, LeBron's MVP chances are in trouble. Tonight: 50 pts, 17 rebounds. 15-17 free throws. Yet Embiid says his back still bothers him from that uncharacteristic cheapshot shove LeBron gave him in midair, causing a long fall. Might just get even w an MVP.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 20, 2021
.@JoelEmbiid #MVP pic.twitter.com/HNs4fEZHH5
— The Porg Whisperer (@worldofpif) February 20, 2021
With that 50 point outing Joel Embiid is now averaging 30.5 points on just 17.8 shots per game.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 20, 2021
Embiid is proof that, despite the embarrassment of the early-to-mid 2010’s 76ers, the process worked out in the end. It landed the 76ers two bonafide stars, in time, and Sam Hinkie paid the price.
The 76ers still stand atop the Eastern Conference, but the surging Brooklyn Nets are making such a feat tougher by the game. Brooklyn is on a five game win streak of their own.
Yet, when healthy, Embiid and Simmons are on a different level this season. Doc Rivers appears to have Philly playing better basketball than years past. In turn, Embiid is holding himself to an MVP standard.