Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers is having a tremendous season in 2020-21. Despite not playing in his fourth All-Star game because of COVID-19 contact tracing (from a verified barber no less), Embiid is in the driver’s seat for his first-ever MVP award, according to Caesars Sports Book.
Despite him leading this individual category thanks to some staggering numbers this season, the Sixers are currently distant title favorites behind such sundry teams as the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers, the Brooklyn Nets, the LA Clippers, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Utah Jazz – giving the Sixers the sixth-highest odds per Caesars at +1400:
A look at the NBA MVP and title odds halfway through the season 👀🏆 pic.twitter.com/7VuCIZa4v9
— ESPN (@espn) March 10, 2021
This might seem sort of low for a team with the leader in MVP odds, but when looking at that list, it actually seems fairly reasonable. For one thing, what team would you bump lower?
Article Continues BelowThe only feasible answer is the Jazz, but they are looking like a juggernaut with their West-leading 27-9 record, with almost every rotation player putting up career-best seasons in Salt Lake City.
Speaking of career-best seasons, Embiid is truly living up to his “The Process” nickname, as Sam Hinkie’s revolutionary front office strategy netted the 76ers one of the best players in the league – and he’s still only 26 years old.
Embiid is putting up sky-high numbers per game, specifically with his scoring (30.2 points per game). That number is even more impressive when you look at his minutes per game (only 33.0) combined with his incredible efficiency: 52.1 percent shooting from the field with a career-high 64.6 true shooting percentage.
Trust The Process indeed.