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There have been several names being floated all season long to win the coveted Most Valuable Player award in the NBA. At some point, guys like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Stephen Curry were seen to win the said honor after showcasing stellar individual performances. Although the battle for MVP will end in the coming months, there's another low-key bout brewing in the NBA card market – Joel Embiid vs Nikola Jokic.
While going for dynamic guards or explosive wings looks to be the better option for collectors, there's a case to be made for these two All-Star big men. The question for this matter is who's the better center to bet on when it comes to basketball cards. Shown below are two arguments for both centers and which stock is more deserving at this point in time.
The case for Nikola Jokic NBA cards
If you told someone a few decades ago that a European center would enter the league and dominate the game beyond scoring in the paint, no one would have believed you then.
During the heyday of the big man before the three-point revolution, the thought of having someone at the 5 who can facilitate the offense with impressive playmaking, court vision, and basketball IQ seemed close to impossible. The standard set by Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the like has been the template of what a center should be in the NBA.
Until Nikola Jokic came along and showed everyone how a fully-realized big man should operate in this new era of basketball. Case in point, his MVP-level performance from last season.
In the 72 games the Joker played last season, the Denver Nuggets' All-Star notched 26.4 points by connecting 56% of his field goals, 38% from beyond the three-point line, and 86% from the free throw line. Along with that kind of efficiency, he also posted 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks per contest.
Furthermore, Jokic led the league when it comes to offensive box scores (9.1) and box plus/minus scores (12.1) among all active players last season. These numbers, and his unique way of playing the game, pushed the Nuggets to the third spot in the West as the regular season ended. Unfortunately, Jokic's run ended when the Phoenix Suns swept them in the second round.
While the Nuggets's performance was underwhelming during the postseason, it should be remembered that Jamal Murray sat out because of an injury. The same can also be said this season, including the loss of Michael Porter Jr. due to back issues. Even with the loss of these key pieces, Jokic is still carrying Denver on his shoulders and keeping them within the playoff picture.
This season alone, the Joker is raising every aspect of his game by posting 26 points on 57% shooting from the field, 37% from three, and 80% from the free throw line. Apart from getting buckets, Jokic is creating meaningful plays for his teammates by dishing 7.9 assists, grabbing 13.8 boards, and making 1.3 steals per contest.
Keep in mind that those numbers are coming from a 6'11” center, who's performing at an MVP-level this season. Those stats, along with his irreplaceable worth for the Nuggets, are reasons enough for his NBA card stock to be a good one in the market.
The case for Joel Embiid NBA cards
With all the drama coming out of the City of Brotherly Love, it's a pleasant surprise to see Joel Embiid taking the MVP leap this season. The Philadelphia 76ers' All-Star center is truly rising above the challenges of playing through all the noise and leading his team towards the upper tier of the Eastern Conference.
At age 26 last season, Embiid's performance was truly one worthy of recognition. In the 51 games he played, the big man notched 28.5 points on 51% shooting from the field, 37% from downtown, and 85% from the free throw line. He also contributed 10.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 blocks, and a single steal to the 76ers' playoff push, which ended on a sour note against the Atlanta Hawks last year.
Thanks to that unfortunate ending, Embiid went through the entire time dealing with all the Ben Simmons-related drama in Philadelphia. But even with all of the noise and the refusal of his All-Star point forward to play, he still came through and get the job done for the 76ers.
At this point in time, Embiid is leading the MVP race because of his insane numbers. In a span of 46 games before the All-Star break, the center is notching a league-leading 29.6 points on 49/36/81 shooting splits. He's also adding 11.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.4 blocks, and a lone steal per contest.
With these numbers in mind, the 76ers are able to hold the 3rd spot in the East with a 35-23 record. Add the impending debut of James Harden and the chances of making a deep run towards the Finals just got stronger. Of course, a big part of this potential success will be attributed to Embiid and his impressive showing this season.
The All-Star center with the better stock in the NBA card market
It can't be denied that these two big men are truly exceptional, not only for their respective teams, but for the whole league as well. Jokic is an oversized point guard that can lead any offense with ease while Embiid is currently playing like Kobe Bryant and Hakeem Olajuwon rolled up into one guy. But when it comes to their NBA card stocks, which of the two is better.
Jokic's insane game this season, especially with a Nuggets team devoid of Murray or Porter Jr., is worthy of recognition. The thing is, Embiid's chances of getting deep into the postseason, and even reach the Finals, is better now that he has Harden in Philadelphia. From that alone, Embiid's NBA cards have a higher ceiling than Jokic.
As of now, Embiid's PSA 10 Prizm Silver rookie card is valued at $2,551 while Jokic's is at $3,215. This gives the latter a higher ceiling when it comes to profit in the market. Paired with a better chance to reach the Finals, the verdict in this contest is no other than the 76ers' Joel Embiid.
