For NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, the leader in the 2021-22 NBA MVP race is clear: Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.
Shaq has a rather simple reason for that, though. The MVP has always been about the “baddest guy” in the league, and as things currently stand, no one comes close to that status than the Sixers big man.
The Los Angeles Lakers legend said so as much during his recent appearance on NBA on TNT, highlighting why his MVP vote goes to Embiid and not to other top players whose teams are at the top of the standings.
“I always thought the MVP was a singular award, which means you are the baddest guy in the league, and the baddest guy in the league right now is Joel Embiid,” O'Neal said.
To be fair, it is not hard to see where Shaquille O'Neal is coming from. Joel Embiid has indeed been playing at even a higher level this time around, carrying the team night it and night out despite the absence of his All-Star running mate.
Over the last 15 games, he has put up monster numbers of 34.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. More recently in the Sixers' last four games, he has breached the 40-point mark three times–including a 50-point explosion against the Orlando Magic.
Philly is currently at sixth place with a 28-19 record despite Embiid putting up monster numbers, but that certainly doesn't fall entirely on him. He is playing the best basketball of his career, and as Shaq said it, is the clear MVP leader with the way he is playing.
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