Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has been on the receiving end of a massive MVP hate after he ducked the showdown with Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic in Colorado.
Embiid was ruled out for Monday's game because of a calf injury, but many are skeptical of that reason and argued he was simply avoiding Jokic so his MVP odds won't be affected. The Sixers center has propelled himself to the top of the race with his recent performances, but after his absence, many are claiming he doesn't deserve to win.
Making things uglier for Embiid, Jokic actually proved himself once again, erupting for a monster triple-double to lead the Nuggets to the 116-111 win. The Joker recorded 25 points, 17 rebounds and 12 dimes, becoming only the third player after Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson to have 10 or more games with a 20-15-10 line, per NBA history.
Jokic basically showed why he deserves to be MVP, while Embiid refused to show up. And that narrative has earned the Sixers big some huge trolling online.
“Nikola Jokic with another triple-double. Joel Embiid with nothing,” Jake Shapiro of Denver Sports wrote. Geoffrow Records of Outkick added, “Joel Embiid is ducking Nikola Jokic. He should be DQ’d from winning the MVP.”
“Nikola Jokic just recorded a 15-10-20 Triple-Double in the 3RD QUARTER while Joel Embiid sat out. Joker haters aren’t gonna like this one. Stop the disrespect and give him his 3-peat already,” Riggs Tamburo of Mile High Sports argued.
Another fan commented. “Nikola Jokic: another triple double. Joel Embiid: somewhere pouting.”
For what it's worth, when news of Embiid's absence surfaced, Kendrick Perkins also accused the Sixers star of ducking. Perk has been JoJo's biggest MVP supporter, and if he could say that, then it's no surprise why a lot of people are disappointed at Embiid as well.
“I was rooting for Joel Embiid to Win MVP but he’s sitting out this game so my vote is going to Nikola Jokic. An MVP has to be available,” another frustrated fan said.
Here are more reactions to Jokic's big night and Embiid's absence:
Sure enough, Embiid didn't help his MVP bid with his absence on Monday. Yikes!
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