Will Embiid be Motivated After Jokic’s Title?

Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - The Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic debate has begun to be the new Jordan or LeBron G.O.A.T. debate, and with Nikola Jokic’s recent championship title, it appears that the debate has swayed in Jokic's favor. However, will Jokic winning the title serve as motivation for Embiid just as the back-to-back MVPs that Jokic won motivated Embiid each of the next two seasons?

For the past three seasons, Embiid and Jokic have gone toe to toe for the MVP race. In 2021, the award could have gone to Embiid if he played as many games as Jokic. Jokic that year played in 72 games to Embiid’s 51. Granted, Embiid got hurt in February of that season with a meniscus tear. In that same season, Embiid averaged 28.5 points per game (PPG), and Jokic averaged 26.4 (PPG) however Jokic ended up winning that year’s MVP. That next year, Embiid would yet again get injured and be limited, however, he would play in 68 games, average 30.6 (PPG), and would go on to win the scoring title. However, Jokic would end up yet again with the MVP with 27.1 (PPG) and played in 74 games. What helped Jokic that season were his assist numbers with 7.9. Numbers are typically not seen by most centers.

So the question presents itself, will Embiid finally deliver a championship ring to the city of Philadelphia? An accomplishment that has not happened in the city since 1983. First, the 76ers need to make it out of the second round. Again, something that hasn’t happened since the 76ers' last NBA finals appearance in 2001.

For Embiid to make these things happen, he needs to step up in the playoffs. In the past three seasons, Embiid’s numbers have dipped each season. In 2021 he averaged an impressive 28.1 (PPG) with a field goal percentage of 51.3. Truly impressive when you consider the options that the 76ers had that year surrounding Embiid. A one-dimensional Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris as the third scoring option as well as a not-consistent Seth Curry, oh and a rookie in Tyrese Maxey. The 76ers would fall to the Atlanta Hawks in seven in the second round. In 2022 however, those numbers would dip as Embiid would yet again find his way on the injury report with a thumb injury, and only average 23.6, and the 76ers would lose to former teammate Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in the second round. This season in another second-round exit, Embiid’s averages were again down in the playoffs with a 23.7 (PPG) average and another injury, this time his knee. Do you sense the pattern? An unhealthy Embiid heading into the playoffs is an unproductive Embiid, and an unproductive Embiid equals a 76ers exit. Now that the NBA is officially in its off-season, it’s up to Embiid to get healthy and look towards the 2023-2024 season in which the 76ers will attempt another championship run.