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Embiid: 'There's no doubt' I'm the MVP

Jesse D. Garrabrant / National Basketball Association / Getty

Joel Embiid believes he's building a strong case to be named the NBA's MVP this season.

In fact, the Philadelphia 76ers center says his candidacy is unassailable.

"There’s no doubt," he told Stadium's Shams Charania.

For Embiid, it comes down to three factors: The level of attention he demands from opposing defenders, his impact on the 76ers' defense, and where his team currently sits in the standings - No. 1 in the Eastern Conference.

"I've been dominant all season," the 26-year-old said. "It just feels like every single time I have the ball, (defenses) always send three guys on me, and I'm still able to do what I do best.

"When you look at our rankings and my numbers, I feel like I'm deserving to be on the All-Defensive team. I do it on both sides."

Embiid, who's averaging 30.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and one steal per game while shooting 51.5% from the floor and 38.7% on threes this season, compared his candidacy to Giannis Antetokounmpo's play in previous years.

"The Greek Freak" produced tremendous scoring numbers and award-winning defense while leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA's top seed on his way to winning the past two MVP trophies.

Jamie Schwaberow / Getty Images Sport / Getty

But while Embiid has been bold in touting his accomplishments, others have been just as firm about who should be named the league's MVP.

On Wednesday, Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry expressed a nearly identical sentiment about his own candidacy in an interview on "The Rex Chapman Show."

"I mean, I gotta be (the MVP)," the former two-time MVP said. "I probably won't get it but whatever."

Similarly, Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone stumped for Nikola Jokic after the star center dropped 47 points during a double-overtime win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

“Life’s about little moments," Malone said, according to The Denver Post's Mike Singer. "And Nikola’s got about 56 moments where he’s shown he’s the MVP.”

Between the three - each of whom placed within the top four in theScore's most recent MVP rankings - Embiid has played the fewest games at 40. Curry has logged 51 appearances for the Warriors, though they're below .500. Meanwhile, Jokic has yet to miss any of the Nuggets' 58 contests.

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