Jokic vs Embiid: Steph Curry Weighs In on the 2022/23 MVP Race

Jokic vs Embiid: Steph Curry Weighs In on the 2022/23 MVP Race

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:29 PM
  • Stephen Curry has picked Joel Embiid as his MVP for the 2022/23 season
  • The Philadelphia 76ers star has finished second in MVP voting in the last two seasons and has a strong chance to win it this time
  • He is facing strong competition from Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo

The 2022/23 NBA MVP race is one of the most intriguing in recent times. Joel Embiid, Denver's Nikola Jokic, and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokoumpo are locked in a fierce battle as the season draws to a close.

Stephen Curry, two-time MVP winner (2015, 2016) feels 76ers center Joel Embiid has the edge over Jokic and Antetokoumpo.

Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, 76ers, Warriors, Nuggets
Curry is the only unanimous MVP in NBA history. Photos by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE and Dustin Bradford.
Source: Getty Images

Nuggets center Jokic is the winner of the last two MVP awards and is looking to become the first player in nearly four decades to win it four times in a row.

Antetokounmpo also won it twice in 2019 and 2020. Bucks coach recently said the Greek is the MVP due to his versatility and how he's carried the team to the best record in the NBA, per ESPN.

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He's averaging a career-best 31.1 points on 55% shooting to go along with 11.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists.

Meanwhile, Embiid has finished second in MVP voting in the past two seasons and is hoping to finally pick up his first MVP award.

Jokic sits top in the latest NBA MVP ladder while Embiid and Antetokounmpo sit second and third respectively.

Curry on MVP race

Curry knows what it takes to win the MVP award. He is the only player in NBA history to win the award unanimously.

He says Embiid has the edge but acknowledged the phenomenal campaigns his other rivals are having.

“I would say Joel [Embiid],” Curry said. “Any person you pick, their body of work could be compared to [Nikola] Jokić or Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. But Joel took a leap that I think a lot of people didn't expect because he was dominant already...That leap turned heads and put [the Philadelphia 76ers] in a great position. If I had to pick, it would be him," via NBC Sports.

The 28-year-old is averaging 33.0 points on 54.2 percent shooting, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 62 games this season. He has led the 76ers to the top-three seed in the Eastern Conference.

Reigning MVP Jokic is averaging a near triple-double of 24.9, 11.9 rebounds, and 9.9 assists.

Can Embiid finally win the award?

Green on MVP race

Sports Brief earlier reported on Warriors' veteran and Currry's teammate giving his thoughts on the MVP battle.

Green says Embiid has created separation as the season enters the final week.

"Joel has definitely created a tad bit of separation, but in saying that, you have to change the mind of voters. Voters the last 2 years have favored Jokic, and he's won it 2x, so you have to change that mindset of voters."
Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.