Jokic versus Embiid: Who is the best NBA center right now?
The 2021-22 NBA season has seen two heavyweights, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, compete for dominance on the court. This article will compare Jokic vs Embiid's stats, rankings, awards, and more.
Source: Getty Images
Which of the two forwards is the best player in the NBA right now? Scroll down to discover more. But first, let us explore more about the player's profiles.
Profile summaries
| Name | Nikola Jokić | Joel Hans Embiid |
| Nickname | Joker | The process, Troel |
| Date of birth | 19th February 1995 | 16th March 1994 |
| Gender | Male | Male |
| Age | 27 years old as of August 2022 | 28 years old as of August 2022 |
| Place of birth | Serbia, Yugoslavia | Yaoundé, Cameroon |
| Nationality | Serbian-American | French-Cameroonian |
| Net worth | $30 million | $35 million |
| Profession | Professional basketball player | Professional basketball player |
| @jokicnikolaofficial | @joelembiid | |
| @jokiccenter | @JoelEmbiid |
Embiid vs Jokic's height
Source: Getty Images
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While Embiid's height is 7'11", Jokic is about 6'11". Likewise, Nikola, whose average weight is 129 kg, is only 2 kilograms heavier than his counterpart. Although Troel missed the 2014 NBA Draft Combine, we have used NBA's anthropometric stats to compare the players' measurements.
| Measurements | Nikola Jokić | Joel Embiid |
| Hand length (feet and inches) | 8'75" | 8'3" |
| Height with shoes | 6'11'' | 7'11" |
| Height without shoes | 6'9.5" | 7'0" |
| Standing reach | 9'0.50" | 7'5.75" |
| Wingspan | 7'0.25" | 9'3" |
Jokic vs Embiid head-to-head career comparison stats
Statistically, who is a better NBA player between the two? Let us look at their career details, including positions, teams, NBA career length, stats, and awards.
Source: Getty Images
| Nikola | Joel | |
| Number | 15 | 21 |
| Position(s) | Center | Center, power forward |
| Shoots | Right | Right |
| Current team | Denver Nuggets | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Former teams | Vojvodina Srbijagas, Mega Vizura | Kansas Jayhawks |
| Year of NBA draft | 2014 | 2014 |
| NBA timeline | 2016-2022 | 2017-2022 |
Nikola Jokic vs Embiid's stats
While Jokic averaged 27.1 points per game with 13.8 rebounds, Embiid had about 26 points per game with 11.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Please have a look at more of their NBA career stats.
| Nikola | Joel | |
| Games played | 527 | 328 |
| Total points | 1269 | 1058 |
| Total rebounds | 551 | 488 |
| Total assists | 306 | 124 |
| Total steals | 50 | 36 |
| Total blocks | 42 | 68 |
How many games has Embiid missed this year? Unfortunately, his impeccable performance during the season was overshadowed by eight absences from the court.
Source: Getty Images
Before we delve into their statistical performance ratings, let us look at Embiid's 2022 injury summary as of May 2022. Earlier in 2022, he missed a couple of games due to a Covid 19 infection, knee soreness, and later thumb and index finger injury and subsequent surgeries, an orbital fracture, and concussion.
Did Embiid's injuries and absences affect his MVP odds? Although he lost the MVP race, the 76ers' centre matched up to Nikola despite the absences, who appeared in 3 preseason games, 5 playoff games, and 74 games in the regular season. Here are the average stats for both players for the 2021-22 NBA regular season.
| Games played | Points per game | Field goal percentage | 3-point field goal percentage | Free throw percentage | Rebounds | |
| The Process | 68 | 30.6 | 49.9 | 37.1 | 81.4 | 11.7 |
| The Joker | 74 | 27.1 | 58.3 | 33.7 | 81.0 | 13.8 |
Jokic vs Embiid defensive stats
Source: Getty Images
So, who is better defensively, Embiid or Jokic? The average defensive rating in the NBA, according to Statsmuse, stands at about 112.0 points. Although both players have received recognition for being the best defenders in the NBA, Troel has appeared in three All-Defensive Teams and won the 2014 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
The Ringers' Alex Parson commented on the all-round player, saying that,
There may not be a player in the (NBA) league with better touch around the rim. He can turn over either shoulder and finish with either hand, get a defensive rebound, shotgun it, lead the break, draw a double, and get an assist. Then, he can step out and hit the 3. He’ll take and make floaters and fadeaways and go behind his back in a crowd three times.
Source: UGC
On the other hand, in an article, The Big Process, Ringers' Kevin O'Conner commented on Troel's defense skills, saying,
Keeping him near the rim inherently dissuades drives to the basket and improves the team’s odds of securing a rebound. According to NBA stats, the Sixers secure 92.2 percent of missed shots when The Process boxes out, and he is swallowing 28 percent of defensive rebound opportunities.
Which of the two centres has the best defense? Scroll down to see a summary of Embiid vs Jokic's 2022 defensive rating and career totals.
| Total games played | Career defensive rating | 2021-22 Defensive rating | |
| The Joker | 527 | 107.0 | 105.3 |
| The Process | 328 | 103.5 | 105.3 |
Jokic vs Embiid MVP race
Source: Getty Images
Who had a better season, Embiid or Jokic? For a consecutive time, The Joker was chosen as the MVP of the 2021-22 NBA season. In addition, he is an NBA season leader in the following categories.
- First in the Fantasy points per game category with 58.6 points,
- Second Active triple-double leader after Draymond Green with 6 points
- Second after Rudy Gobert in Rebounds per game with 13.8 points
Jokic's awards
- 2020-21, 2021-22 NBA's Most Valuable Player
- 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 NBA All-Star
- 2019, 2021, 2022 All-NBA First Team
- 2020 All-NBA Second Team
- 2018, 2021 Serbian Player of the Year
- 2016 NBA All-Rookie First Team
- 2016 Rio Summer Olympics silver medal
- 2015 ABA League MVP
- 2015 ABA League Top Prospect
Embiid's awards
- 2022 Most Valuable Philadelphian
- 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 NBA All-Star
- 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 All-NBA Second Team
- 2018, 2019, 2021 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- NBA Scoring Champion (2022)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (2017)
- 2014 All-Big 12 Second-team (2014)
- 2014 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
- 2014 Big 12 All-Defensive Team
- 2014 Big 12 All-Newcomer Team
- 2013 Jordan Brand Classic
- 2013 Nike Hoops Summit
The Jokic vs Embiid debate may have been settled by Nikola's MVP win in the 2021-22 NBA season for a second time. Although the two players have distinguished themselves as the best centres in the NBA right now, The Process has demonstrated that he is equally deserving of the award.
READ ALSO: Ranking the top 20 players with the most points in an NBA game
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Click on the link above to find out which of your favourite basketball players made it to the list.
Source: SportsBrief.com