The discussions about the best basketball player in the world are relevant as ever, but if you ask Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, the discussion isn’t necessary. According to the All-Star center, this title belongs to him.
Embiid had a monster game on Thursday night in which he poured in 39 points and grabbed 16 boards to fuel 76ers to a 112-104 overtime win over Brooklyn Nets. After the contest, the 25-year-old said that his attitude was a continuation of aggressive play he had in the All-Star game.
“The All-Star Game was fun. Being there in the fourth quarter, doing my thing at the end of the game, I thought it was great,” said Embiid.
Embiid then added that his role as “the best player in the world” requires him to compete each night.
“But the All-Star Game, just proving I’m here, I belong, and being the best player in the world, I just intend to keep coming out every single night and just play hard and trying to get wins and just go out and try to win a championship,” he explained.
While Joel Embiid is certainly in discussion for being in the top 10 – 15 best players in basketball, he didn’t even come close to show he deserves any higher consideration. Besides struggling with injuries, Embiid is having rather an average year, putting up 23.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. And this isn’t even the biggest dent in his claim.
76ers are struggling mightily this season, despite having a loaded team that features All-Stars in Embiid and Ben Simmons, as well as quality complementary pieces in Tobias Harris and Al Horford. Philly is currently fifth in the East and will have to work really hard to even get home-court advantage for the playoffs.
If Embiid intends to put himself in the “best player” conversation, he will have to show much more than he’s doing now. Winning some games would also help.
